Since 1949, National Parks have inspired millions, safeguarded some of our most iconic landscapes, and given countless people the chance to connect with the natural world.

But anniversaries are not just moments for celebration; they are also moments for reflection.

National Parks were created to protect and preserve nature and to provide space for people to find solace, inspiration, and connection. Yet, 75 years on, the challenges facing nature—and the role of National Parks—have changed. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and deep-rooted inequalities in access to nature require us to reimagine what National Parks could and should be.

At Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, our Wilder2030 vision calls for a future where nature and communities thrive together. To align with this vision, National Parks need substantial reform. They must become engines of nature’s recovery, places where rewilding takes centre stage and where communities lead the way in restoring and revitalising the land.

National Parks Fit for the Future

To be truly fit for the future, National Parks must:

• Deliver for Biodiversity: Protect and enhance species and habitats, becoming true hubs for nature recovery.

• Prioritise Equity: Ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to these incredible landscapes.

• Adapt to Climate Challenges: Champion nature-based solutions to flooding, carbon storage, and pollution.

• Support Communities: Empower local people to lead rewilding projects, restoring landscapes and livelihoods.

The next chapter for National Parks needs to be bold. As we look ahead to 2030, let’s seize this moment to not just preserve our National Parks but transform them into thriving, inclusive landscapes that meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Together, we can reimagine these spaces - not just as places to visit, but as places of hope, restoration, and action.

Here’s to 75 years of National Parks - and to the next 75 years of bold, transformative change.