The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed in 1998 as an independent organisation to act on behalf of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales.
Its membership is largely composed of representatives from local authorities whose boundaries include AONBs and who are concerned to improve their management and funding arrangements. The Association is administered by an Management Board and holds an Annual Conference, which provides an opportunity for those working in AONBs to join together and address issues of current concern.
The Association also works through Joint Accords with the Association of National Park Authorities and other major organisations to establish agreements over issues which directly affect the work of AONBs. Copies of recent joint accords are held in our Online Reference Library - to view these, click here.
The Association produces a full colour magazine for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - "Outstanding" - which is published twice a year. You can view or download copies of this magazine from our Online Reference Library - click here.
The Association also produces a regular newsletter, "AONB News". You can view or download copies of this from our Online Reference Library - click here.
If you are interested in AONBs, you can sign up to our mailing list to receive future copies of AONB News - click here.
The Management Board
The Management Board of the NAAONB has 12 members and meets four times a year. The Board operates under a constitution agreed at the September 2000 AGM.
The current members of the Management Board are:
Mr Ashley Thomas, Wye valley AONB – Chairman
Mr Paul Jackson, Howardian Hills AONB – Vice Chairman
Mr Neil Roberts, Cannock Chase AONB
Ms Helen Noble, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust
Mr Richard Lloyd MBE, Cotswolds Conservation Board
Mr Peter Stevens, Dedham Vale AONB
Mr Chris Woodruff, East Devon AONB
Mr Ray Woolmore, Friends of the Lake District
Mr Paul Esrich, Malvern Hills AONB
Mr Richard Butler, North Devon AONB
Mr Michael Sydney, Tandridge District Council
One vacancy
The NAAONB Online Reference Library contains copies of the minutes of Management Board meetings - to view these, click here.
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 The Annual Conference
The NAAONB and the host AONBs welcomed over 170 delegates to Winchester and the 9th Annual Conference. Entitled ‘Changing Landscapes: a view of landscape management in AONBs’ , the conference looked at the difference that the AONB designation has made to the management of our landscapes and how communities and landowners have been involved in the various processes.
The theme of the conference was investigated and discussed over three days with presentations from the following guest speakers:
Mr David Fursdon, CLA
Mr David Coleman, Defra
Mr Andrew Wood, Natural England
Mr Simon Thurley, English Heritage
Mr Richard Potts, Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB
Ms Hazel Riley, English Heritage
Mr John Brownscombe, Isle of Wight AONB
Ms Fiona Newcombe, North Wessex Downs AONB
In addition there were a series of practically focused workshops and field trips. The workshops gave delegates opportunities to further explore subjects presented during the plenary session. We discussed whether our designation is making a difference (good or bad), can it adapt and what the synergies with other partners are that will make the designation work.
Field trips took delegates out to the Chichester Harbour, Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs, Isle of Wight, North Wessex Downs and East Hampshire AONBs to see practical examples of how local AONBs are dealing with the issues.
For more information about Annual Conferences and papers from the 9th Annual Conference click here
 Vision and Aims of the NAAONB:
The long term vision for the Association is to be part of a major national independent body representing those responsible and involved in the management of all protected landscape areas of international importance in the UK.
It will do this by working closely with the Staff Forum, The Countryside Agency and The Countryside Council for Wales to realise the opportunities presented by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.
The aim for the next three to five years is to build on the progress made so far by
- Creating an effective internal communication network amongst members so that they are well informed about matters both political and technical affecting AONBs and can learn from each others experience
- developing the Association's Parliamentary contacts so that all MPs and Members of the House of Lords with AONBs in their constituency or who have an interest in conservation are aware of the Association and recognise it as a legitimate voice of AONB interests
- developing a wide range of contacts both in the UK and Europe with both government and non-governmental organisations concerned with IUCN Category IV protected landscapes in order to promote the awareness and commitment to AONBs
- become proactive rather than reactive in working with Government departments and agencies to strengthen public policy and practice in pursuit of the purposes for designating AONBs.
- acting as a focus for technical information and expertise on the protection and management of AONBs. This might include management of national data collections, clearing house for experience and expertise of AONBs in membership of the Association or involvement in specific pieces of research of relevance to the aims and objectives of AONB managers.
- Strengthening the structure of the organisation so that it can deliver all the activities to achieve its vision in an effective and efficient way.
To view our full business plan please click here.
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