Liz Wall, CNP's Head of Fundraising, says "We are very proud that our first award has attracted so many nominations of such high quality. Large, long term, ambitious partnership projects featured alongside single volunteers who have worked with enormous dedication and skill to restore and protect precious features of National Park landscapes. It has been very difficult choosing just five for our shortlist as all are worthy winners but we believe that the five chosen are outstanding examples of the amazing work that is taking place in our National Parks, and the amazing people who care about them." The winner will be announced on March 22nd.

Nicholas Crane, cartographer, explorer and BBC broadcaster and patron of the Park Protector Award, added, "The nominees are terrific. Really inspiring and valuable. The kinds of projects that remind us that National Parks play a vital role in protecting both manmade and natural wonders."

"All the projects are close to our hearts as they are in areas where our guests walk, and they are all making a positive contribution to the enjoyment of our wonderful National Parks. The top five shortlisted projects are truly outstanding." says Brian Smith, Chief Executive of HF Holidays, the Award's Inaugural Corporate Supporter.

Liz concluded, 'It's going to be difficult to choose an overall winner out of the outstanding people and projects below.'

The Llangattock Community Interest Company is cutting its carbon footprint and leading the way in sustainable living, developing a blueprint that has implications for communities well beyond the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Northumberland National Park Authority has managed to conserve its fragile landscape and create a legacy of traditional skills through its project Traditional Boundaries, Traditional Skills.

The Mires on the Moors project, part of South West Water's "Upstream Thinking" programme is restoring the delicate upland ecosystem, enhancing biodiversity and tackling the effects of climate change in Exmoor National Park.

In Snowdonia, volunteers working with the Snowdonia Society are undeterred by the elements or the scale of the task in hand, and their efforts are instrumental in conserving the stunning landscape of this wonderful National Park for future generations.

Friends of the Lake District have nominated Jean Savage (pictured above), in recognition of the tremendous work that she does for them. Jean epitomises the word 'volunteer'; her commitment and passion for volunteering are infectious and she seeks no reward for this, other than the chance to get stuck in and to encourage others to join her.

Jack Ellerby, Friends of the Lake District Policy Officer said: 'As a successful charity we rely on many fantastic volunteers to make a difference. Jean is an exceptional volunteer turning her hand across all of our areas of work, including dry stone walling on our land, communicating and guiding people at our events and letter writing to decision makers like with our recent 'Stop the Forests Sell Off' campaign. We are delighted and excited she's in the running for this national award and have our fingers crossed. Jean is a star and certainly does 'big society' for real!'

Details of the shortlist are here