Mary-Ann Ochota has been appointed as an Independent Chair
of the Protected Landscapes Partnership.
The Protected
Landscapes Partnership brings together the National
Landscapes Association, National Parks England, National Trails
UK, and Natural England to support England's Protected Landscapes
to have a greater impact on people, nature and climate.
The PLP chair will lead the strategic objectives of the Protected
Landscapes Partnership with a focus on fostering innovative
approaches to funding and delivering this government's commitment
for greener, wilder and more accessible Protected Landscapes.
They will champion the goals of the Protected Landscape
Partnership, amplifying Protected Landscapes' voices and
inspiring a wide range of stakeholders.
As Independent Chair, Mary-Ann will play a pivotal role in
establishing a strong, sustainable future for the Partnership.
She has been appointed for a one-year term, commencing on 13
January 2026.
Biography
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Mary-Ann is a broadcaster, anthropologist and specialist
adviser to organisations working across nature, place and
people. She passionately believes that environmental justice
and social justice are two sides of the same coin.
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Mary-Ann is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society,
Patron of the Ridgeway National Trail, a member of the
hillwalking advisory group at the British Mountaineering
Council and is currently President of CPRE, the Campaign to
Protect Rural England. She also currently serves on Natural
England's Landscape Advisory Panel.
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Mary-Ann has written three acclaimed books on British
archaeology and regularly writes and presents TV and radio
programmes in the UK and internationally on archaeology, the
environment and nature, and the outdoors.
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She is involved in public campaigns to improve
access to, and understanding of, the countryside. She works
with a network of grassroots community groups, businesses,
public sector and environmental NGOs, including All the
Elements, a network of individuals and organisations working
to diversify the outdoors.
The Protected Landscapes Partnership
- The Protected Landscapes Partnership is a forum for
national collaboration between the partner organisations – the
National Landscapes
Association, National
Parks England, National
Trails UK, and Natural England. It
also works closely with the National Parks Partnership to
develop green finance opportunities and bring new investment to
deliver large scale nature restoration projects. The Protected
Landscapes Partnership is a hub for innovation and the
development of ambitious projects; a place to learn, test new
ideas, share knowledge and find peer support.
