Future Landscapes, the Welsh Government commissioned report on National Parks and AONBs, has provoked an influential body to warn that international recognition of these areas as protected areas could be withdrawn if the priority of nature conservation is reduced.  Concern centres on whether economic development will be given undue policy emphasis.  See www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-national-parks-could-lose-13400448.

MCC has now advertised inviting applicants for a post to develop and lead on the delivery of walking and cycling plans and projects across Monmouthshire and to promote active travel to businesses, schools and colleges, services and facilities. Details available at http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/app/uploads/2017/07/170804-ROHT39-Assistant-Transport-Planning-Engineer.pdf. Closing date 4 August.

The Wye Valley AONB is promoting the two-year Youth Ranger Programme as part of the Foresters’ Forest Initiative. Sixty young people have taken part to date and enhanced their knowledge, experience and skills in all matters that fall within the countryside management sector; drystone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing, wildlife survey, farm visits, recreation, rural craft skills & heritage knowledge to name but a few. More information at http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/youth-rangers/. Register your interest today – there are free taster sessions in September. Young people who have taken part in Youth Rangers have found it useful in adding to their CV’s and when making personal statements for university applications.

Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths has called for views, by 13 September, on how the Welsh public sector might be carbon neutral by 2030: http://gov.wales/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2017/170705-welsh-public-sector-to-be-carbon-neutral-by-2030/?lang=en

http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/public-sector-decarbonisation/?lang=en

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has commenced the process of reviewing the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for the National Park. The existing Plan set out how the Authority intended to improve access to the countryside between 2007 and 2017. The Authority will be undertaking a number of consultations over the Summer and Autumn and will endeavour to consult as many people and organisations as possible. Contact row@beacons-npa.gov.uk or 01874 624437. As the Plan will set the direction of the management of the rights of way and access provision for the next 10 years your input and opinion is crucial to the process.