The National Park Authority’s achievements for 2013-14
October 17, 2014
Reintroduced water voles, better woodland management, preparations for a National Park Local Plan, and promoting sustainable travel are just some examples of successful partnership projects highlighted in the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) annual review for 2013-14.
Margaret Paren, Chair of the SDNPA, said:
“We’re proud to work in partnership with a wide range of organisations, landowners, farmers, local businesses, residents and visitors – all committed to caring for the South Downs National Park. Our annual review shows how the National Park Authority is spearheading this work.
“Our first Partnership Management Plan for the National Park, launched this January, set out a long-term vision and how it will be delivered over the next five years through more than 100 separate projects. This review gives an insight to the National Park Authority’s own progress to date, the work we are undertaking, and our commitment to delivering our ambitious vision for the nation’s newest National Park.”
With more woodland than any other National Park in England or Wales it’s important that woods are well managed to support both wildlife and the local forestry economy. Through our South Downs Forestry Partnership the amount of South Downs woodland in active management has increased by 14 per cent. The partnership has also visited more than 40 woodland sites and mapped nearly 100 forestry supply chain businesses.
Work to improve access to the National Park has also progressed with the campaign to promote sustainable transport reaching 5.5 million people. Visitors and residents can now enjoy an extra 8.5km of cycle paths and, using the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, our partners are increasing Sunday bus services into the National Park enabling people to access the South Downs for recreation who previously couldn’t. Other work included resurfacing 1575m of the South Downs Way at five locations, replacing 46 signposts and repairing/replacing 24 gates.
Connecting more people with the South Downs today is a vital if we are to encourage more people to care for its landscapes in the future. Through the Our South Downs project SDNPA and partners are now working with more than 48 per cent of schools within the National Park and 31 per cent within 5km of the boundary to support teachers to use the South Downs across their whole curriculum. Working with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community group Sompriti the NPA have also organised special sessions to introduce BME community leaders to the National Park – a number of these are now training to become volunteer walk leaders within their communities. Meanwhile the time given by the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service increased by 700 working days from the previous year.
Read more about these and many more projects in the SDNPA Annual Review 2013-14