People, place and action: reflecting on the 2026 UK National Parks Conference

From recovering wildcats to restoring habitats for capercaillie, Natalie Harvey reflects on the people, partnerships and practical action helping nature and communities thrive across the UK’s National Parks.

There is something particularly fitting about bringing people together who care deeply about our National Parks in the landscapes that inspire so much of their work. 

This September, representatives from across the UK’s National Parks came together in the Cairngorms National Park for three days of discussion, learning and shared experience, focused on how we can work together to deliver for both people and nature in a rapidly changing world. 

Three days in the Cairngorms 

The 2026 UK National Parks Conference brought around 200 people together in the Cairngorms, including representatives from all 15 UK National Parks, public agencies and conservation and community organisations. The central theme was Dùthchas – a Gaelic concept encompassing ideas of kinship, heritage and deep-rooted connections between nature, people and place. 

Across three days, we explored some of the biggest questions facing National Parks: how we restore nature at scale, respond to climate change, work with communities, navigate changing approaches to land use and ensure that National Parks continue to deliver for people and nature. 

These conversations are integral to our collective work, but one of the most valuable parts of the conference was the opportunity to get out into the landscape and see some of that work happening in action. 

Back from the brink 

I joined the Back from the Brink field trip to Rothiemurchus Estate and Glenmore Forest Park, exploring some of Scotland’s rarest and most threatened species. 

Walking through native Scots pine forests, we saw first hand how conservation teams are managing habitat for capercaillie, the world’s largest grouse. We heard how woodland grazing and innovative habitat management are helping to improving conditions for this iconic species to thrive. 

We also explored wildcat conservation, examining tracking data in an area where the wildcat is beginning to slowly recover. Later, a visit to the Pine Hoverfly breeding centre at Highland Wildlife Park highlighted the extraordinary care, expertise and long-term commitment involved in species recovery. 

There was also time for hands-on volunteering and to hear directly from the conservation teams about both the successes and the ongoing challenges of bringing threatened species back from the brink. 

What stayed with me most was the reminder that behind every conservation project, every restored habitat and every recovering species are people. People bring knowledge, passion and determination to complex challenges, often over many years. People who are prepared to try new approaches, learn from what doesn’t work, collaborate with others and keep going when recovery takes time. 

National Parks full of people and action 

It is easy to think of National Parks simply as beautiful landscapes – somewhere to visit, explore and enjoy. 

Of course, the landscapes matter enormously. But these three days were a powerful reminder that National Parks are places of action, collaboration and innovation.  

They are shaped by the people who live and work in them, the communities who care for them, the visitors who experience them and by the many partners working together to protect and restore them. 

The challenges facing our National Parks are significant, and there is no single solution. But bringing people together creates the space to share what we are learning, challenge our thinking and find new ways of working together. 

If there is one thing I will take away from the Cairngorms, it is a renewed sense of optimism. Across the UK, people are working together to restore nature, support communities and find new solutions to complex challenges. The future of our National Parks will be shaped not only by the landscapes we protect, but by the collective action of the people who care enough to make a difference.