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UK National Parks and Clif Bar launch the National Parks Protectors Fund

Author: Extra UK | Tue, 18 Jun 2019

A new partnership between Clif Bar and the UK National Parks will fund a series of major conservation projects taking place across five of the National Parks in 2019, as well as supporting the environmental protection of the remaining parks.  

The projects, funded by Clif Bar, range from the installation of a bug hotel bike rack in the Broads National Park, to woodland protection in the New Forest and an anti-light pollution programme in Northumberland National Park.

Clif Bar has a long history of supporting environmental projects in the USA and Canada, but this is the first time the company has lent its support in the UK.

The brand, which sells a range of energy bars to support active lifestyles, is committed to running a different kind of food company and is passionate about protecting the places in which it plays and to the communities in which it lives.

Clif Bar’s support will play a lead role in bolstering the environmental protection programmes of the UK National Parks, which cover 9% of the land area in the country and sustain a huge level of vital habitats and wildlife. The funding will enable the establishment of the ‘National Parks Protectors Fund’ to support important conservation and environmental projects across UK National Parks.

All 15 of the UK’s National Parks will benefit in 2019, with those not running a special project still receiving a smaller grant to support their choice of conservation work during the year. Clif Bar will also be donating a range of their energy bars to each National Park.

Catherine Hawkins, Chair of National Parks Partnerships said:

“Clif Bar is really stepping up to help the UK National Parks to protect and conserve their precious landscapes. The National Parks work year-round on projects designed to protect and conserve important habitats and wildlife. But with so much work to do, we need the support of partners like Clif Bar to help protect these landscapes for now and the future.”

David Smith, Senior Marketing Manager at Clif Bar Europe, said:

“Clif Bar is a purpose-led company committed to sustaining five bottom lines.  These are our Five Aspirations – sustaining our business, brands, people, community and planet.”

“Our partnership with the UK National Parks truly embodies these aspirations by supporting the communities we live in and the planet we share. We are confident that the projects supported through the UK National Parks Protectors Fund will help ensure that these outstanding landscapes we are so lucky to share with nature are available for generations to visit and enjoy.”

Starting in Spring 2019, the five supported projects are:

Peak District - Operation Wildfire

The long hot summer of 2018 brought challenges for the Peak District National Park in the form of devastating wildfires. Swathes of its internationally important landscapes were affected, with devastating consequences.

This programme will train volunteers to keep a close eye on conditions on the moorlands to support fire prevention and early detection, reduce the scale and impact of Wildfires when they do occur, educate and provide advice and support on wildfire issues and support Moorland restoration where fires have occurred.

Northumberland -  Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Scheme in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park

This project will ensure that the pristine dark skies of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park are conserved for the wonder of this generation and the next. Raising public awareness of the issues around bad outdoor lighting on wildlife and our health, together with a focus on replacing or retro-fitting bad lighting with good.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) - Paths, Pollinators and People

Paths, Pollinators and People is a pilot project that aims to enhance the biodiversity alongside the Newgale to Abereiddi section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

This project is the first step towards a longer-term aim of maintaining the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in a way that improves biodiversity and wildlife interest for visitors, whilst at the same time ensuring its quality as a National Trail.

Broads National Park – Bike Bug Hotel

The creation of two bike racks at Whittingham Country Park that has a whole series of features built into it to provide space for invertebrates/mini-beasts.

New Forest National Park - Working Woodlands Project

Enabling vital restoration and enhancement of three woodlands to increase the diversity of wildlife. The Working Woodlands project aims to bring around 120 hectares of woodlands back into active management to improve biodiversity; make woodlands more resilient to unfavourable conditions such as disease; increase the amount of habitat available for many threatened and declining species; and train 150 people in woodland management skills. The project will also increase public access to woodland, create a detailed record of the current state of unmanaged woodlands, and give advice, support and training to woodland owners.