England's National Parks and the European Landscape Convention

ENPAA has produced a new publication, ‘England’s National Parks and the European Landscape Convention’. The European Landscape Convention (ELC) is the first international instrument devoted exclusively to the protection, management and planning of landscape in its entirety, and was signed and ratified by the UK Government in 2006. The ELC defines landscape as “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”.

This new publication explores how the intent and purposes of the ELC are being reflected in the strategies that guide the work of the National Park Authorities, and the projects and partnerships that are taking place in National Parks. It includes a variety of case studies from the English National Parks, which illustrate how landscape is increasingly being used as an integrating mechanism to bring together wide ranging concerns such as nature conservation; heritage; recreation; and development. One of the key aspects of the ELC is the involvement of people, and these examples show how National Park Authorities are engaging communities and visitors to help increase their understanding of, and involvement with, the landscape around them.  The publication was launched at the UK Landscape Awards Conference held in Liverpool from 8-10 November 2010.

Download England's National Parks and the European Landscape Convention here