Our accessibility ambition and vision
Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do
We believe accessibility and inclusion should be a standard, not an afterthought. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion shapes everything we do – from the partners we work with to the services we provide. Here you can read our vision and policies, and see how we’re working with our community to remove barriers and create a fairer, more inclusive region.
Chilterns National Landscape – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Ambition
The Chilterns National Landscape (CNL) is committed to ensuring that the natural beauty, culture, and health benefits of the Chilterns are available and accessible to everyone.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core to our values, our day-to-day work, and our strategic goals. This Ambition outlines our commitment to EDI. We have an EDI Advisory Group made up of staff and Board members which is helping to oversee the delivery of our EDI Ambition in collaboration with the wider CNL team and our partners.
Although the CNL is a small organisation, we have a pivotal role to play within the sector, providing leadership, influence and collaboration in many areas. Crucially we have strengthened and embedded the ambition around EDI in our new Chilterns NL Management Plan 2025-2029 for all partners and stakeholders to deliver.
“We ensure that all voices are heard and respected, promoting equal access and opportunities for everyone to enjoy, participate in and contribute to the conservation, enhancement, understanding and enjoyment of the Chilterns.”
(Chilterns National Landscape Vision and Values 2025)
SIDSAMBU
Engaging the public: Priority Audiences
National Landscapes were created for the benefit of the nation and have always been for everyone to enjoy. The Chilterns is surrounded by diverse urban centre, yet many of these communities face significant barriers to accessing the countryside and are the least frequent users. By proactively engaging underserved communities we can encourage more people to experience, enjoy and care for the Chilterns.
Given limited resources, we are prioritising communities where we can have the greatest impact. In 2025-2027 we are focusing on the following groups:
- Culturally and ethnically diverse communities, especially in economically and socially disadvantaged urban areas surrounding the Chilterns including Luton/Dunstable, High Wycombe, Reading and Aylesbury.
- Young people (under 25), particularly those who may thrive in outdoor learning environments, including neurodiverse individuals.
- Disabled people, with a focus on improving access for those with mobility, sensory, and mental health challenges.
We recognise that other groups also face barriers to engagement, and we will continue to take advantage of opportunities to broaden participation wherever possible. Individual CNL projects may define their own audience priorities based on context and need.
Our EDI approach
As an organisation, we are committed to ensuring inclusion is a lived value across everything we do. Our work seeks to reduce structural and systemic barriers in recruitment practices, HR policies, volunteering opportunities as well as our public-facing initiatives.
Lumenators at dusk - photo by Phil Young
EDI case studies
to come
CNL’s Strategic EDI Objectives for 2025-26
We have defined eight strategic EDI objectives to focus on for the coming year:
- Approve and make visible our revised EDI policies. Raise awareness amongst staff and Board and incorporate into our induction and training programmes. Ensure the policies are aligned with and embedded in our work, and that our working practices match the policy aspirations.
- Review EDI training and development needs for all staff and Board members, from induction onwards. Build on the diversity and disability training already provided over the last couple of years to increase knowledge and confidence. Share learning, resources and facilitate knowledge sharing with staff, Board members and partners.
- Sign up for Disability Confident Scheme accreditation and aim for Employer (level 2) in 2025/26.
- Support EDI engagement and partnership development in Luton and the North Chilterns through Nature Towns and Cities and through Luton Henge legacy opportunities.
- Allocate 2025/26 Defra Access Funding (£429,000) to help develop and support EDI initiatives.
- Clarify and communicate our strategy around EDI and engaging young people, sharing learnings and opportunities.
- Develop our organisational approach to volunteering focused on citizen science and how we can make it more relevant and diverse.
- Make our EDI Ambition and aspirations more visible throughout our website and Comms, along with our CNL vision, mission and values.