Countryside Council Wales (CCW), United kingdom

Welsh landscape is rightly regarded as one of the country's greatest assets. And the everyday care of the countryside's 'natural beauty and amenity' falls to individual land managers. But it is a complex resource, and much of it vulnerable to change. That is why successive Governments have supported the CCW in protecting these special qualities: by labelling (or 'designating') areas, and through demonstration projects, finance, and advice - such as on designing places, and development plan policies.

CCW strives to give each area of countryside the particular help it needs. It's not only the three National Parks and five equivalent Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that need co-ordinated effort. It's a universal need, from remote hilltops to the busy edges of towns. Efficient 'countryside management' is the answer, blending the land manager's stewardship and effort with the specialist resources of local government, and national agencies such as CCW.