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National Parks

(Pembrokeshire Coast National Park data)

In 1949 the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was passed by the government. This led to the formation of UK National Park Authorities as independent bodies funded by central government and meant large areas of land in England and Wales became protected by law.

The role of the Park Authorities is defined as to:

• conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
• promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.

If there’s a conflict between these two purposes, conservation takes priority. In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

The UK’s 14 National Parks are part of a global family of 6,555 protected areas, covering one million square kilometres or 12% of the Earth’s surface. We are linked to Europe through the EUROPARC Federation – a network of European protected areas with 360 member organisations in 37 countries.

Our West Wales region includes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in its entirety but excludes the part of the Brecon Beacons National Park that extends into Carmarthenshire; this is covered by BIS.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is of great significance to WWBIC. The Park includes eight National Nature Reserves and Wales' only Marine Nature Reserve. The biodiversity of Pembrokeshire is of national and international importance and is reflected by the fact that about 6% of the total land area is within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).