Meet the National Landscape Team

What we do

Our job is to ensure the things that make the Wye Valley National Landscape special are cared for now and for future generations, helping to address the climate and nature emergencies. We do this by working on projects and initiatives with landowners, local communities, visitors and public, private and voluntary organisations to conserve and enhance the area’s outstanding natural beauty. We also raise awareness of the value of the landscape and the natural and cultural heritage within the Wye Valley National Landscape. We encourage people to learn about the Wye Valley, to visit and enjoy it, helping to improve their health and wellbeing. We also work collaboratively with farmers, landowners, forest owners, rural businesses and local communities to promote sustainable forms of economic and social development.

We operate as a cross-border co-ordinating body, engaging with local communities, landowners and other partners to advise, develop and deliver both small local projects and  landscape-scale initiatives to achieve the strategic objectives within the statutory Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan. As well as leading on a number of projects we are also involved in other partnerships that relate to the Wye Valley, including:

• Wye Navigation Advisory Committee
• Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnerships
• The Wye Catchment Partnership
• Offa’s Dyke Collaboratory
• Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism
• Cotswolds Plus Local Visitor Economy Partnership
• Farm Herefordshire
• Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales

We report to the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and are employed on behalf of the Wye Valley National Landscape Partnership by the local authorities of Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council and Forest of Dean District Council. 

How the Wye Valley National Landscape is funded

The core budget for the National Landscape team is approximately £350,000 per annum. This consists of grant aid from DEFRA and Welsh Government, with match funding contributions from Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council and Monmouthshire County Council (these organisations also constitute the Wye Valley National Landscape Steering Group). Herefordshire Council is the treasurer for the Wye Valley National Landscape.

We also bid for additional funding for specific projects and initiatives from a variety of other sources. For example, in the past we have secured: Big Lottery Fund support for the mindSCAPE project, Visit Wales and the Arts Councils of England and Wales supported our Wye Valley River Festival, the Heritage Lottery Fund provided £1.9m towards the £3.1m Overlooking the Wye Landscape Partnership Scheme. The Welsh Government has provided funding for a number of green infrastructure and carbon reduction projects though their Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places (SLSP) programme. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) also provides some project funding.

Wye Valley National Landscapes Team Core Functions

• Developing, reviewing, preparing and publishing the AONB Management Plan
• Advising, facilitating and coordinating the implementation of the Management Plan
• Accessing resources for National Landscape management, conservation and enhancement activities
• Developing involvement by the community in the management of the National Landscape
• Providing management and/or a collaborative role to co-ordinate conservation and enhancement of the National Landscape at a local and strategic level
• Problem-solving with the National Landscape Team acting as co-ordinator and facilitators
• Advising Local Authorities and other partners on their activities within the National Landscape, to encourage them to attain the highest possible standards (under s85 CRoW Act)
• Working with and contributing to the National Landscapes Association activities, sharing advice and best practice nationally and regionally.
• Providing landscape-related planning advice to local planning authorities and government agencies.
• Contributing and supporting activity between National Landscapes and protected landscapes to strengthen the status of the National Landscapes individually and collectively.
• Monitoring and reporting on the progress of the Management Plan and Annual Business Plan to the AONB Partnership, DEFRA and Welsh Government.

The Wye Valley National Landscapes Team operates to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults involved as visitors and as participants in all of our activities. If you have any concerns please let us know, either in person or via email.