Against the Public Good: The Impact of Economics and Politics on the New Forest National Park in Southern England

The article is a case study of a unique natural area in southern England, known as the New Forest, which was only transformed into a national park in 2005. It was inspired by awareness of the importance of national parks for environmental protection in Poland and the worldwide attention-grabbing reports of the ongoing conflict over logging in the Białowieża Forest. Both the New Forest National Park and the Białowieża Forest have long been particularly important areas due to their unique natural values. They are the site of the development of fragile ecosystems that have existed for centuries, and whose continued survival is now under threat. The New Forest has long been the subject of disputes over the use of its natural resources, as well as the justification for the establishment of many institutions, whose activities have evolved in response to changing economic needs and political priorities. The economic needs of society have always led to conflicts over the perception of what constitutes the best possible use of limited resources. Sometimes this conflict can be triggered by arguments concerning the national interest; on the other hand, local problems and priorities are placed on the other side of the scale. Regardless of the scale of conflicts of interest, there must be an institutional framework for resolving them, at the same time aimed at amicable consideration of decisions aimed at avoiding them. The history of the New Forest National Park can provide lessons for managers of other areas of this type, including in Poland. The article presents a brief historical outline and geographical characteristics of the New Forest area, with particular emphasis on the description of intertwined economic pressures and institutional changes, the current situation and future expectations in the light of current policy directions. The author concludes that long-term international scientific cooperation can provide new knowledge that will contribute to the cultivation of these unique, valuable and irreplaceable areas of the natural environment.