About Us
The Limestone Landscapes Partnership was initiated in 2007 following a study commissioned by County Durham Environment Partnership and Natural England to look at whether a long-term landscape-scale partnership would be feasible across the Magnesian Limestone area.
This was followed by a consultation process with potential partner organisations to ensure a shared vision, aims and objectives. The following year the partnership was established with a vision of:
Working together in a landscape-scale partnership to make a positive difference to quality of life and to the unique environment of the Magnesian Limestone area.
Partnership Aims
- Champion and co-ordinate informed, participative and integrated action on the environment across a broad range of sectors.
- Deliver environment-led actions that achieve social and economic benefits.
- Work with communities connected to the natural area to help shape a landscape that reflects their needs.
Objectives
- Conserve and enhance the unique biodiversity, geo-diversity, landscape, heritage and cultural assets of the partnership area and strengthen and develop local character and distinctiveness.
- Improve access to countryside and natural green-space, and opportunities for healthy ‘green exercise’ that will improve mental, physical and social well-being.
- Raise awareness of the environment of the partnership area as an educational resource and a source of local pride, creating stronger links between urban and rural areas.
- Empower local people to participate in activities and decision-making on the environment.
- Improve, promote and use the environment as a stimulus for economic regeneration and sustainable growth.
- Support and promote activities that help to mitigate, or adapt to, the impacts of climate change.
- Support and complement the work of partners through linking and securing resources and expertise.
For further information about the initiation of Limestone Landscapes please download the following PDFs:
Durham Natural Areas Partnership Feasibility Study Final Report.pdf (51 pages, 1710kb)
Limestone Establishment of the Magnesian Limestone Natural Area Partnership Summary Evaluation Report 2008.pdf (28 pages, 272kb)
The current organisations tasked with developing the project can be found on the Partners page.