NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday 22 November
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes
North Wessex Downs National Landscape is the new name for the North Wessex Downs AONB
Today, [Wednesday 22 November] all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes. The new name reflects their national importance; the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness of the work that they do.
This is an exciting next step for the North Wessex Downs, and for the UK, in fully realising the National Landscapes’ vision 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.
Our new logo features the Uffington White Horse – the best-known landscape feature of the North Wessex Downs – and one of eight white horses that sit within the designated landscape. Blue represents the big skies that can be experienced up on the chalk downs and are such a significant part of the natural beauty of the landscape.
Henry Oliver, Director of North Wessex Downs National Landscape says:
“Third-largest of the UK’s National Landscapes, the North Wessex Downs has it all: from characterful villages and sparkling chalk streams, through farmland wildlife and ancient woodland to the high chalk downs. Perhaps most special of all is the sheer richness of ancient monuments and landscapes that still survive, thousands of years after they were shaped by our prehistoric ancestors.
Each of our National Landscapes is unique and distinct, looked after by a locally accountable partnership. But we’re also part of a network of natural beauty that spans the whole country. Nature doesn’t take any notice of designation boundaries. By working together as a national network we can achieve much more than we ever could by working alone.
National Landscapes are protected for the nation – a glorious part of our heritage but also vital to our future. Calling ourselves National Landscapes emphasises these areas’ national importance, deserving of the highest protection. Excitingly, it also represents our ambitious collective mission to collaborate as a network for natural beauty, on behalf of everyone.”
Discover more about North Wessex Downs National Landscape...