A carbon consultant, a landscape architect and two councillors have been appointed to the board of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Dan Holmes, a carbon consultant and ambassador at Campaign for National Parks, joins the board bringing experience in behaviour change, low-carbon travel, and regenerative tourism. He was previously a sustainability associate at the University of Sussex.
Dr Saira Ali, an award-winning landscape architect and president-elect of the Landscape Institute, has also been appointed. She sits on the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee as an Environment Agency independent member and has a track record in engaging underrepresented communities, including her work to connect South Asian women and children to the countryside.
Both were appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment following a nationwide recruitment process.
Derek Twine, chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Mr Holmes and Dr Ali to the board of the national park.
“Both have a passion for national parks and protected landscapes, rooted in their personal experiences and reinforced by their professional interests, and an enthusiasm for the work of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and its partners.
“The skills and experience they possess across the key themes of biodiversity, decarbonisation, regenerative tourism, community engagement, landscape design and access to green spaces will be invaluable to us as we prepare to implement the new National Park Management Plan and Local Plan, both of which have nature recovery and climate mitigation at their heart.”
Also joining the board are Richard Ingram, Chair of Buckden Parish Council, appointed by the Secretary of State as a parish representative, and Lancashire County Councillor Nigel Swales, who has been chosen by the council to represent them on the Authority board.
Mr Twine added: “It’s good to see our Board strengthened by two new local representatives in addition to our new national appointments. This is a great combination with the range of experiences and perspectives they will bring.”
