Ex-Chair of CPRE Hampshire receives national CPRE award

Dee Haas, former Chair of CPRE Hampshire, recently received a ‘Connected and Inspirational Award’ from the national countryside charity, CPRE.

This was in recognition of the huge contribution Dee has made in her time in the role. Taking up the position for the past 6 years, recognition was given to Dee for being an inspirational Chair of CPRE Hampshire and for being positive, collaborative and effective. Her work during this time has influenced strategic policy for the countryside across Hampshire. 

The overall aim of CPRE, at both national level and in Hampshire, is to protect and ensure a sustainable future for the countryside at a time of great change and challenge. Nominations for these volunteer awards are invited every year for people that demonstrate and embody the organisational values of being open, trusted, connected inspiring. The awards are then announced at the annual CPRE conference.  

 Dee joined as a Trustee in 2014 and was appointed Chair of CPRE Hampshire not long after. With her collaborative, inspirational and positive approach she immediately gained the respect and loyalty of the entire Hampshire team of trustees and volunteers. Caroline Dibden, Vice-President of CPRE Hampshire, explains: 

“Dee has been the driving force behind our Strategic Vision for Hampshire, which advocated a constructive spatial approach for Hampshire’s future. By promoting this, it contributed to Hampshire County Council initiating its own 2050 Vision for Hampshire. Dee was invited onto this influential Commission and spearheaded much of its rural work. She has made lasting and influential relationships and is now recognised as a rural and countryside expert. This is in no small measure due to her professional background in landscape architecture and public service, but also to her passion and obvious love for the landscape.”  

Dee has also been instrumental in the CPRE Hampshire campaign for a new Green Belt for South Hampshire, which continues to press the local authorities in the urban Solent area to realise the many benefits, both for the environment and the public. 

Though Dee has now stepped down from the Chair role, she will continue to support CPRE Hampshire, a cause in which she believes deeply.