TO celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2011 the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is launching the Park Protector Award — a new initiative that aims to showcase the work of inspiring individuals and ambitious projects committed to protecting all 13 National Parks of England and Wales. 

Entry for nominations closes on December 31 2010. Nominations within Dartmoor are sought in the following categories:

l Restoration – through a distinct project or activity that restores the built or natural heritage of an area in one of the National Parks of England and Wales.

l Protection – through a campaign that leads to the successful protection of a distinct area within one of the National Parks of England and Wales.

l Conservation – through a distinct project or activity that conserves the natural environment and contributes to the biodiversity of one of the National Parks of England and Wales.

A shortlist of projects will be drawn up by a panel of experts led by CNP and an overall winner will be announced in the spring of 2011 to coincide with CNP's 75th anniversary. As well as receiving the Park Protector Award the winning project or individual will receive a bursary of £2,000 to help sustain their important work. 

Explorer and BBC broadcaster Nick Crane is patron of the award and will sit on the judging panel.

He said: 'National Parks are a fantastic asset that must never be taken for granted. The Park Protector Award is a wonderful idea and I am delighted to be its patron.'

The award is being sponsored by HF Holidays, the UK's biggest walking and leisure holiday company, a co-operative society and owner of 15 country houses in or near National Parks. HF Holidays were a founding member of the Campaign for National Parks in 1936.

Nominations for the first award are open between September and December 2010 and can be made via CNP's website – or by contacting Liz Wall on 020 7924 4077 ext 223.  Projects in Dartmoor are welcomed.  Projects may vary in size and can include partnerships or joint ventures set up for funding and/or delivery purposes.

The project must run throughout 2010 and ideally be active at the time of the award in the spring of 2011.