Exmoor National Park has launched an ambitious new five-year Partnership Plan (2025–2030), setting a bold course to restore nature, combat climate change, and strengthen rural communities. Officially unveiled on October 16 at Lynton Town Hall ahead of Exmoor Day, the plan unites farmers, conservationists, community leaders, and local businesses under one shared vision for the future of this treasured landscape.
Developed entirely in-house without external consultants, the plan outlines seven strategic aims supported by over 80 targeted actions designed to transform Exmoor into a greener, wilder, and more inclusive place by 2030. Andrea Davis, Chair of the Exmoor National Park Authority, emphasized that the plan hinges on “synergy and collaboration,” aiming for collective energy that exceeds the sum of its parts.
This document is the product of extensive years of consultation with residents, volunteers, and partner agencies. As one of the UK’s fifteen National Parks, Exmoor is a vital national asset, Davis remarked, calling the plan “a rallying call to everyone who cares about Exmoor to come together to ensure its future thrives.”
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Sarah Bryan, Chief Executive of the Authority, highlighted that producing a management plan every five years is a statutory duty, but this plan rises above mere compliance. Marking the park’s 71st anniversary since designation in 1954, Bryan reaffirmed the park’s core purposes: conserving natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage, while promoting public understanding and enjoyment.
Reflecting on shifting priorities, she noted stronger commitments to nature recovery and climate action are woven throughout the plan. The seven strategic aims tackle a broad range of priorities, from expanding habitat restoration and boosting woodland cover to improving soil and water quality, increasing access and education, supporting affordable housing, and fostering local jobs.
Concrete targets include restoring 4,500 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat and increasing tree cover from 18% to 21%. Bryan described the plan as a “refocus” rather than a reinvention — aligning ongoing efforts and galvanizing partners to accelerate progress.
Julian Glover, author of the 2019 Landscapes Review, praised Exmoor’s unparalleled natural and community strengths in his keynote. He highlighted Exmoor’s tallest trees, highest cliffs, temperate coastal rainforest, wild ponies, and farming heritage — calling it a “miracle” the landscape still thrives in 2025. Glover stressed the importance of balancing conservation with community needs such as affordable housing, access for horse riders, and visitor facilities, noting the complexity of managing competing interests within limited resources.
Partnership voices echoed these sentiments. Paul Hawkins from the National Trust emphasized that ambitious targets drive real change, urging engagement beyond traditional conservation circles. Dave Slater of Natural England spoke about rebuilding trust with land managers to enable long-term nature recovery efforts.
Inclusion was a central theme at the event. Philippa Hill’s Exmoor Pioneers Programme fosters access and connection by offering apprenticeships, training, and welcoming events for those facing barriers. Dan Brice, director of Channel Events, highlighted how sustainable outdoor challenges bring people together while promoting environmental stewardship.
Bryan summarized Exmoor’s vision as a beautiful, climate-resilient landscape where nature thrives alongside thriving, low-carbon communities connected to their heritage. With the plan drafted, the focus now shifts to detailed delivery strategies across all seven aims, with progress tracked annually through the State of the Park report.
Davis closed by underscoring that the success of this ambitious vision depends on partnership: “No single body can do this alone. This is a shared responsibility — and a shared opportunity.”