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.