The National Landscapes Annual Conference 2024 took place earlier this week at Harper Adams University, Shropshire; the theme of which was 'Changing Landscapes: Changing Minds'.

The Conference examined ...

• What role is there for natural beauty and landscape designation in ever-changing landscapes?
• What are the different ways of working and resilience needed if natural beauty is to prevail in the contested debate on the value and use of land and sea?

These were the two fundamental questions that conference explored, arming attendees to better navigate the policy and personal responses to the twin crises of climate change and nature decline, and the unrelenting political pursuit of economic growth.

On Day 2 of the Conference, 16 delegates (together with 5 Trustees) attended a field visit of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, familiarising themselves with the spirit and purpose of the Sandstone Ridge Trust and its work in relation to potential AONB (National Landscape) designation.

Attendees were able to meet some of our key partners at the various locations, namely, the National Trust at Bickerton Hill, English Heritage at Beeston Castle and a site visit to Frodsham Hills Woodland, managed by the Woodland Trust.

Delegates from a number of National Landscapes such as Surrey Hills, Wye Valley, Lincolnshire Wolds, the Malvern Hills, the Chilterns and Cotswolds and North Pennines attended.

In addition the Chief Executive of National Landscapes was in attendance. as well as two representatives from Natural England.