Managing our National Parks

Approximately 6% of the Earth’s land surface is covered in National Parks – but what does it take to look after these rare and special landscapes?

We go beyond the tourist trails to hear about the challenges and opportunities facing the people managing the parks.

Presenter Laura Heighton-Ginns meets the president of Gorongosa in Mozambique, a park that’s powering the local economy. Gorongosa has become the region’s largest employer and operates a number of side businesses to help with its funding.

Laura also visits Dartmoor in the South West of England, which has seen government financial support cut by nearly half over the last 10 years.

And she finds out about the oldest protected area in the world – and why its future is uncertain.

Presenter/producer Laura Heighton-Ginns.

Image: Gorongosa National Park. Credit: Gabriela Curtiz / Gorongosa National Park