Is creating a national park for the chief purpose of economic development a good idea? Or does it ultimately diminish the conservation value of other national parks? That is what I asked myself after reading this article from the BBC , about how a western region of Scotland known as “Harris Island” is voting on whether or not to attempt to make the area a national park (Harris

is not actually an island). The area’s population has decreased by 25% over the last twenty years, prompting residents to search for methods to develop Harris’ economy and halt its declining population trend. Other than that, the BBC has provided little additional information. Read more of this story »

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Shrinking Communities in Scotland Vote on Creating National Park to Boost Economy