At London Climate Action Week, EOCA brought together leading voices from conservation, government, the outdoor industry and adventure sport to call for bolder action to protect the UK's National Parks.
Hosted at the Arc'teryx Piccadilly store in partnership with Pertex, The Future of National Parks convened policymakers, industry leaders, athletes and storytellers to explore why some of Britain's most iconic landscapes are under increasing pressure, and what it will take to secure their future. The event also marked EOCA's first participation in London Climate Action Week, coinciding with the organisation's twentieth anniversary.
Opening the discussion, EOCA Executive Director Dan Yates highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the UK's National Parks. Despite their protected status and international appeal, biodiversity loss, unsustainable development and increasing pressures from recreation and tourism are placing these landscapes, their wildlife and local communities under growing strain.
© Henry Hu - The Future of National Parks at the Arc'teryx Piccadilly store
Dr Rose O'Neill, Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks, argued that governance reform sits at the heart of the solution. She called for National Park Committees that better reflect modern Britain — more diverse, younger, equipped with broader skills and willing to recapture the bold ambition that inspired the creation of National Parks.
Andy Laycock, Brand Director at Pertex, highlighted the role the outdoor industry can play beyond funding restoration projects — not only investing in nature recovery, but also helping tell the stories of these landscapes and the people who call them home.
"UK National Parks are such unique and important landscapes for nature, recreation and for our collective well-being. The EOCA event was a great way to share ideas on how National Parks can adapt to the increasing pressures they face, whilst continuing to preserve and restore these vital landscapes for future generations." — Andy Laycock, Brand Director, Pertex
Mark Cridge, Executive Director of National Park City Foundation, emphasised that access to nature should not be limited to remote landscapes, arguing that bringing more nature into towns and cities benefits everyone, regardless of where they live.
© Henry Hu - Lena Drapella, adventure photographer, closing the evening
From Yosemite to Chamonix, the evening made the case that the UK's National Parks deserve recognition alongside the world's most celebrated destinations for adventure and outdoor recreation, and that the outdoor industry has an important role to play in telling that story.
Haroon Mota discovered his passion for endurance sport in the UK's National Parks, going on to complete all six World Marathon Majors and summit peaks around the world while raising millions for charity. As Founder and CEO of Active Inclusion Network and Muslim Hikers, the world's largest outdoor community for Muslims, he is helping new audiences discover the benefits of spending time in nature.
"The future of our National Parks isn't just about protecting landscapes, it's about helping more people feel connected to them. People protect what they feel connected to, and people feel connected to places where they feel they belong. If we're serious about the future of our National Parks, we need to ensure they're places where everyone feels welcome, represented and inspired to return." — Haroon Mota, Founder & CEO, Active Inclusion Network and Muslim Hikers
Adventure photographer Lena Drapella closed the evening by reflecting on the landscapes themselves. Having made Eryri National Park her home, and used its mountains and trails as the training ground for expeditions across the globe, she made a compelling case for the UK's National Parks as world-class adventure destinations, and for why they are worth protecting for generations to come.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for such an inspiring evening, and to our partners at Pertex and Arc'teryx for helping make it possible. Special thanks to Goodrays for the cold drinks during the UK heatwave.
For twenty years, EOCA has supported grassroots conservation projects globally. As we look ahead to the next twenty, EOCA will continue bringing people together, supporting practical conservation and protecting the landscapes that inspire all of us to get outside.
With a newly appointed government in Wales, and a new Prime Minister due in Downing Street, EOCA hopes that now is the time that fresh perspectives, and fresh ideas can be brought to our National Parks. We are excited to be working with our partners to bring this conversation to London Climate Action Week at such a
critical time.