Landscapes for Life

Arnside & Silverdale AONB is one of a family of 46 AONBs. 

Of the 46 AONBs in the UK, 38 AONBs are in England and Wales (33 wholly in England, 4 wholly in Wales and 1 which straddles the border). The remaining 8 AONBs are in Northern Ireland, with a further two - Erne Lakeland and Fermanagh Caveland - proposed.
  • Our family of AONBs cover 8000 square miles and are governed by 700 locally elected members
  • AONB Partnerships are democratically accountable, have always provided value for money, and provide technical information (particularly relating to Town and Country Planning, land management, geodiversity and ecology) that supports our purpose
  • AONBs have a major role to play in the management of our national water resource, in managing carbon, in protecting our wildlife at a scale that is relevant in a changing climate, and in helping to keep the nation healthy and happy
  • AONBs exemplify collaborative working across the public, private and voluntary sectors, spanning multi-sectoral interests. Local farmers and landowners acknowledge the valuable advice and work of AONB Partnerships.
  • AONBs are not just about landscape and wildlife, they are inextricably linked to people and thriving local economies. Physical and spiritual well-being is overwhelmingly demonstrated to be positively affected by high quality natural greenspace [Professor Jules Pretty, New Scientist Dec 2007].

Click on the logo or the link here to visit the Landscapes for Life website

 

 

The National Association

The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed in 1998 as an independent organisation to act on behalf of AONBs in England and Wales.
It seeks to promote the importance and value of all AONBs to the public, local and national governments, public bodies and agencies and businesses. It aims to:
  • Raise awareness of the designation and importance of AONBs, nationally and internationally
  • Support an effective communication network and website about political and technical issues affecting AONBs and ensure all of the family of AONBs learn from each others' experience
  • Maintain strong Parliamentary contacts so that all elected representatives and Members of the House of Lords are aware of the Association and recognise it as a legitimate voice of AONB interests
  • Develop a wide range of contacts both in the UK and Europe with all organisations concerned with IUCN Category IV protected landscapes to promote the awareness and commitment to AONBs
  • Be proactive in working with Government departments and agencies to strengthen public policy and practice in pursuit of the purposes for designating AONBs.
  • Act as a focus for technical information and expertise on the protection and management of AONBs including management of national data collections or involvement in research relevant to AONBs.

Its membership is largely composed of representatives from local authorities whose boundaries include AONBs and who are concerned to improve their management and funding arrangements. The Association is administered by a Management Board and holds an Annual Conference, which provides an opportunity for those working in AONBs to join together and address issues of current concern.

To visit the website of the National Association for AONBs click here

 

 

2010 National Conference

National Association of AONB's 12th Annual Conference - a synopsis

The 12th Annual Conference of the NAAONB's took place from Monday 12th July to Thursday 15th July 2010. The theme of the conference was 'Landscape and Nature for All'. The conference this year was hosted by the Kent Downs, High Weald and Surrey Hills AONB's and the Parc Naturel Regional (PNR) des Caps et Marais d'Opale and was held at Hythe, near Folkestone on the south Kent coast.

Over a hundred and fifty delegates from AONB's from all around the country attended, and Tony Riden, Barbara Henneberry and Colin Peacock attended from Arnside & Silverdale AONB.

A major focus and impetus of many of the guest speakers and workshop debates was biodivesity and the importance of redressing the short-falls and failures of the Biodiversity Treaty of 2000, a fitting concern in this, the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). This subject was closely interlinked with the European Landscape Convention and with climate change issues.

With national and global economic crisis, funding issues were also of paramount concern and debate. The importance of the role of volunteers was emphasised many times, to help enable a sustained level of progress in protecting and maintaining our important and valued AONB landscapes and communities in these troubled financial times. 'More for less' is the Governments' mantra.

Further details of what was said at and what conclusions and outcomes from the Conference will be posted here shortly. Meanwhile, for other details, keep posted on the NAAONB's website Conference pages

 

 

 

 

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