Leadership development rooted in place and purpose
The Landscape Leadership Academy is a distinctive, sector-leading initiative designed to develop confident, capable leaders who can navigate the complex challenges facing our protected landscapes.
Why this programme exists
The challenges facing landscape leaders from across the sector have never been more complex. Climate change, biodiversity loss, changing land use, and the need for inclusive access all demand a new kind of approach.
Leaders need more than technical expertise. They need the capacity to work across boundaries, navigate uncertainty, build coalitions, and inspire others towards a shared vision of thriving landscapes.
This programme responds to that need. It brings together emerging and established leaders from across the sector to develop the mindsets, skills, and connections that will shape the future of our protected places.
A programme built for impact
Every element of the programme has been designed to create lasting change in how participants lead and how landscapes are stewarded.
Purpose-Driven
Developing leaders who understand their role in stewarding landscapes for future generations.
Cohort-Based
Learning alongside peers from across the National Landscapes network, building lasting connections.
Regenerative
Approaches that work with natural systems, not against them, fostering sustainable leadership practices.
Future-Focused
Building capacity to navigate uncertainty and complexity with confidence and creativity.
What makes this programme different
- Residential learning at Hawkwood, a place designed for deep reflection and transformation
- A blend of in-person and digital sessions that sustains learning over time
- World-class facilitators bringing expertise in regenerative thinking, futures literacy, and systems change
- A cohort model that builds community and peer support across the network
- Practical application integrated throughout, connecting learning to real workplace challenges
- Partnership between National Landscapes Association and Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking
Strategic context
This programme sits at the heart of the National Landscapes Association's ambition to build leadership capacity across the network. It complements ongoing work on nature recovery, climate adaptation, and inclusive access.
The programme aligns with the National Landscapes mission to be places where nature thrives, everyone is welcome, and communities and businesses prosper. Effective leadership is essential to achieving that mission.
Supported by DEFRA in its pilot phase, the programme is now developing into a long-term piece of infrastructure for the sector.