Northumberland National Park has been recognised for its pioneering efforts in conservation, innovation, and community engagement during a ministerial visit highlighting its contributions to environmental sustainability.
Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), visited the park on Friday, May 23. The visit aimed to explore ongoing work in nature recovery, biodiversity, and public outreach.
Creagh met with Denis Mullan, Chair of Northumberland National Park Authority, alongside park staff, to discuss the authority’s long-term objectives in areas such as environmental health, biodiversity enhancement, and rural development.
“We are extremely proud of Northumberland National Park Authority’s role in the region, primarily as the public authority which ensures this unique and special landscape is conserved and enhanced so it can be enjoyed by everyone,” said Mullan. He added that the visit offered an opportunity to showcase the park’s daily commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring the landscape remains vibrant and accessible for future generations.
As part of the visit, the minister toured The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, where she observed an educational session with students from Studio West Academy, focused on career paths in the green sector. She also met with members of the park’s farming team and local entrepreneurs at the rural business hub in Hexham.
The visit concluded at Greenlee National Nature Reserve near Hadrian’s Wall, where Creagh was briefed on the park’s flagship Hadrian’s Wall: Recovering Nature project. The initiative is designed to restore and protect natural ecosystems through wetland recovery, peatland restoration, woodland creation, improved water quality, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Creagh praised the authority’s work, stating: “I was delighted to visit Northumberland National Park and meet the people who work tirelessly to protect this beautiful landscape. Our national parks and green spaces are a source of great national pride, and we are committed to making these landscapes greener, wilder, and more accessible to all.”
According to the park authority, the ministerial visit underscored the essential role of national parks in addressing environmental challenges and fostering connections between people and nature. It also highlighted the ongoing need for investment and collaborative efforts to safeguard these landscapes for future generations.
