The importance of national parks to the UK
Across the four areas of the United Kingdom, there are 15 national parks - two in Scotland, three in Wales, and nine in England. All but five, so ten, national parks were created during the 1950s!
National parks and the space they protect offer huge upsides for developing and maintaining the all-important biodiversity that green spaces need to deliver on their potential to stand up to climate change.
National parks also offer other benefits - research opportunities, places for people to enjoy, and employment.
Let's dive into the national park scene as seen in the UK.
The history of national parks in the UK
1950s post-war UK was arguably not a great time. But those of us with green in our hearts and eyes would look at the 1950s as a watershed decade. Following the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, several areas across the UK were designated as national parks to conserve and enhance their natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities for the public. Lewis Silkin, Minister for Town and Country Planning, describes it as "… the most exciting Act of the post-war Parliament". The parks were mostly formed in poor-quality agricultural upland. But that is OK. Protect Earth is very fond of low-quality farmland.
National parks in the UK today
Today, the UK is home to fifteen national parks.
There are 10 National Parks in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. The parks are:
England – Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales.
Wales – Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Pembrokeshire Coast, and Eryri (Snowdonia).
Scotland – Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
Together, the parks total 8,908 square miles! An estimated 110 million people flock to our national parks to indulge and derive pleasure from being outside.
It should be noted that other designations of parkland contribute to an even larger green footprint in the UK.
Are national parks effective in preserving and protecting natural beauty and ecosystems?
National parks are integral in preserving and protecting natural beauty and ecosystems. They serve as safe havens for numerous species of flora and fauna, providing them with an environment where they can thrive without the threat of human encroachment.
For example, in 2019/2020, national parks in the UK hosted over 330 conservation projects.
What are some of the unique challenges that national parks face in maintaining their natural beauty and biodiversity?
National parks face several unique challenges in maintaining their natural beauty and biodiversity.
Invasive species pose a significant threat, as they can rapidly alter the delicate balance of native ecosystems.
Similarly, human activities, including tourism, pollution, and encroachment pressure, can degrade natural habitats and adversely affect wildlife populations.
While tourism keeps parks alive - it tells the government that people value the spaces and boosts employment, tourism to these spots also has downsides:
Erosion - holding large events (charity walks, etc.) or having large recreational vehicles like quads can cause soil compaction or erosion
Damage and disturbance to wildlife - allowing dogs off leads, for instance
Litter
Damage to farmland - many national parks include working farms with rights to access. Crops are often victims of trampling.
Biodiversity is best achieved with balanced numbers. Land overgrazing by sheep and deer are also challenges to maintaining biodiversity. The solution for population control - particularly regarding deer - is very controversial, exacerbating the challenges.
Climate change is another significant challenge, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events disrupting plant and animal life.
These challenges require concerted conservation efforts, robust protection policies, and ongoing research to ensure the sustainability of these precious natural sanctuaries.
What are the benefits of national parks, and how do they tie into preserving natural beauty?
National parks preserve natural beauty by providing a protected space for diverse wildlife and plant species. These parks conserve precious ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same lush landscapes and biodiversity we appreciate today. They preserve nature in its purest form and offer numerous environmental benefits such as carbon storage, water filtration, and air purification.
National parks also contribute to our mental and physical well-being by offering serene spaces for recreation and relaxation.
How can individuals and communities support the development and conservation of green spaces?
Individuals and communities can actively participate in creating and sustaining green space in the UK in several ways:
Volunteering is a direct and effective method. Whether for-profit or charities (like Protect Earth), the managers of greenspaces can never have enough hands planting new greenery, maintaining trails, monitoring wildlife, educating visitors, and many other tasks.
Donating, whether monetary or in the form of necessary equipment and supplies, always makes a difference. Project Earth has two donation pots. One is to purchase more land, enabling us to develop more green spaces across the UK. The second pot is our biodiversity fund, which helps us plan, design, and maintain beautiful natural spaces, inviting friendly plants, insects, and animals (i.e. native and naturalised) into these spaces.
Simply visiting these spaces while respecting their rules can contribute to their preservation.
Remembering the principle of "leave no trace" is important, ensuring we keep these incredible spaces as pristine as possible for future generations and non-human inhabitants.
To sum up
Thousands of square miles across the UK are protected, giving plants and animals a chance to live. Through their lives and hard work, they capture carbon, prevent soil erosion, minimise flooding, clean the air, look phenomenal, make us feel great when we visit, and provide jobs.
Whether five acres, 50 acres, or thousands of acres, land designated specifically for natural habitats offers benefits.
Parks, national or otherwise, deserve our appreciation!
