A Year in National Parks Partnerships
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Date posted: 15/12/2022
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Time to read: 5 minutes
With winter descending upon park life as another year draws to a close, National Parks Partnerships takes time to reflect on the contribution of UK-level partners in the past twelve months.
Read to the end for some seasonal offers from partners just in time for Christmas.
The breadth and scale of impact that has been achieved in 2022 is the result of ambitious and innovative thought-leadership from National Parks and partners working together. People and planet remain core to the mission, with partners providing grant funding for nature restoration, education and access throughout all 15 UK National Parks.
In its first year since launch, Revere, in partnership with the global impact firm, Palladium, has secured over £1.8m to fund innovative natural capital pilot projects. Revere Founding Partners, Santander UK, are funding peatland restoration in the Cairngorms whilst the Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland have committed £500,000 over 5 years to the Innovation Facility, this year focussing on a critical water quality improvement project in the Lake District.
Partnerships
A three-year initiative with BMW UK was announced during Net Zero With Nature Week in October. The Recharge In Nature project will help UK parks move forward in key areas such as EV infrastructure, sustainable tourism and biodiversity.
The National Parks Futures fund provides grants to National Parks education teams across the UK. Forest Holiday’s ongoing support continued this year with three projects in Northumberland, New Forest and Peak District NPAs. EPAM Systems also supported the Futures fund, providing grants that enabled young people to enjoy educational trips to the Parks, with 372 pupils benefitting in the past year. The Fund has also been bolstered through sales of Spotty Otter products whilst their customers raised over £650 for the UK National Parks Foundation during National Walking Month.
Sykes continues to support National Parks Protectors, which directly supports conservation work within the National Parks. This year funding has been directed to projects in Northumberland and Snowdonia National Parks, as well as the #LoveYourNationalParks photography competition and over 150 members of Sykes staff volunteered across the Parks.
This year also saw the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation make a funding commitment for a new Nature-based Solutions Lead role for National Parks Partnerships. This role is already proving to be a key driver in helping the 15 National Parks to engage even more fully with both Revere and the wider Nature-based Solutions agenda.
The National Parks licensing programme has built on an amazing set of licensee and affiliate partners this year. Adventure Pins have now raised £3,216 for their range of National Parks pins for the UK National Parks Foundation. Dicky Bags continue to support the Parks through sales of their bags and promotion at shows. Carousel donate 10% of all calendar sales and in 2023 will bring out an additional water-themed edition, whilst sister company, Otter House, have launched a range of jigsaws. Trundl, the walking charity app that puts your steps to good use, has raised £1,078 for the Foundation from 5,018 kms of trundling in its first year as a partner.
A huge thank you to the National Parks who organised volunteering days for partners. Santander got hands-on with peatland restoration in the Cairngorms; EPAM Systems became ‘citizen scientists’ for the day in Northumberland; whilst Forest Holidays spent the day in the Peak District clearing an old pond to encourage the Great Crested Newt to return.
NPP is grateful to partners who have extended seasonal offers in the lead-up to Christmas, with Harper Collins offering a 20% discount on all National Parks guides and maps with code: NATIONALPARK20. Little Trekkers are offering 15% off their full range of kids outdoor gear with code: NATIONALPARKS15. Tick off all 15 parks with 10% off Outdoor Scratch Maps with the code: ilovenationalparks. You can also clean up your dog poop act in the new year with 20% off Dicky Bags products (over £26.95) using code NPXMAS.
Do get in touch with NPP if your company would like to discuss partnerships that can support your sustainability or CSR agendas whilst supporting the care and conservation of these wonderful landscapes for everyone to enjoy.
We’d love to explore working with you, do get in touch.
Naomi Conway, NPP Director
naomi.conway@nationalparks.co.uk
Lisa Sensier, NPP Senior Development Manager
lisa.sensier@nationalparks.co.uk
