CPRE statement against racism in the countryside

The Black Lives Matter movement is calling attention to Black people’s everyday experience of racism across the whole of our society. CPRE, the countryside charity, stands against all forms of racism, which has no place in any community – urban or rural.

The countryside is for everyone. We will only achieve a countryside that’s rich in nature, accessible to everyone and playing a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency if we end the racial inequalities that exist in engagement with the countryside, confirmed by powerful testimony from individuals and communities and solid data.

Connecting more people to the countryside, particularly those not benefiting now, is at the heart of our new strategy. Our decisions are guided by our values – open, connected, trusted and inspirational. We will be inclusive and respectful of everybody. The recent protests remind us that we must redouble our efforts to deliver on these goals.

We must also achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusion in our own organisation. We will listen to, and learn from, Black, Asian and other minority ethnic people who are experiencing barriers to sharing a more inclusive countryside.

To this end, we are investigating Black, Asian and other minority ethnic people’s experiences so we can help remove these barriers. We have recently commissioned new participant-led research to provide a deeper understanding of these barriers, including structural factors.

We are working with inspiring Black, Asian and other minority ethnic activists and grassroots organisations who are doing incredible work in this area, making space for ourselves and others to hear their stories. We look forward to working alongside them and everybody who shares our vision of a countryside for all.

Read more on BAME people’s experience in rural Britain