Chichester Harbour becomes a National Landscape
Alongside all other designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales, Chichester Harbour is now a National Landscape. The change of name
The change of name is designed to reflect the national importance of these locations and highlight the vital work carried out to help protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also promoting greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England comments:
“For decades the AONBs have helped protect the beauty of our finest landscapes. Today though we need so much more from these wonderful places, helping us adapt to climate change, catching carbon, restoring depleted wildlife and encouraging more people outside, at the same time as producing food, sustaining local communities and enhancing historic environments.
Modern challenges require new approaches and today marks the beginning of a new phase for our National Landscapes, as they strengthen their existing partnerships, and forge new ones that will secure in perpetuity the huge range of benefits that come from these special places. Big change has taken place during the past 75 years and bigger changes still can be expected during the decades ahead.
Uniting the National Landscapes in this way is very welcome and spells immense opportunity and great hope for the future.”
The size and scope of the 46 National Landscapes in the UK lend themselves to be able to address the environmental issues the UK is facing. These landscapes include moorland, farmland, coast, forests, encompassing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, a Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserves. They are the UK’s nearby countryside - 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape and at least 170 million people visit them every year.
The National Landscapes’ vision is to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.
Find out more about Chichester Harbour, a National Landscape.
Find out more about National Landscapes
