Diversity drive to make Britain's countryside 'less white'

Under plans coordinated by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), National Landscapes across England—formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty—are implementing measures to increase ethnic minority participation and make rural areas less predominantly white.

These efforts stem from Defra-commissioned reports, starting with a 2019 review led by Julian Glover. That report described the countryside as a “white environment” mainly used by the white middle class and warned that without change, “Our countryside will end up being irrelevant to the country that actually exists.” It recommended long-term programs to boost ethnic diversity among visitors.

A follow-up 2022 study, costing £108,000, identified perceptions of protected landscapes as tied to “white culture” and middle-class norms as key barriers, particularly for first-generation immigrants. It noted associations with “traditional” pubs and drinking culture that made some Muslim communities feel unwelcome.

Various National Landscapes have adopted specific targets. The Chilterns team plans outreach to Muslims from nearby Luton, diverse staff recruitment, marketing featuring ethnic minorities, and materials in community languages. Research there suggests tighter dog control due to fears among some groups.Malvern Hills stated: “Many minority peoples have no connection to nature in the UK because their parents and their grandparents did not feel safe enough to take them or had other survival preoccupations.”

It contrasted white English preferences for solitude with ethnic minority tendencies toward social group activities and aims to reach those without English as a first language.Nidderdale highlighted concerns about reception in unfamiliar places and will develop inclusive information reflecting diverse cultural views. Similar commitments appear in Cranborne Chase, Surrey Hills, Suffolk and Essex Coast Heaths, and Dedham Vale, focusing on barriers to under-represented groups.

The government has endorsed expanding community engagement to increase ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of visitors, alongside improvements for disability access and youth involvement. A Defra spokesman emphasized supporting safe, appropriate nature engagement through promotion of the countryside code and equipping communities with relevant resources.