The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership is set up to conserve and enhance the landscape of the Kent Downs. In 2002 the staffing and governance arrangements of the AONB were reviewed and the structures were amended.

The partnership comprises a Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) which has representatives of land owning, political and statutory interests. Supporting the JAC is an Executive which is a smaller body made up of representatives of the JAC and from farming and landowning interests, business charities and parishes. The AONB unit is a small team of 4.6 full time staff who are working with partners to achieve positive change on the ground and ensure that this nationally important landscape is conserved and enhanced. Each year there is a forum – a wide meeting of organisations and individuals who have a stake in the future of the AONB. The meetings of the forum provides a broad input into the priorities for and management of the AONB.