Welcome to Hedgerows . . .
A personal blog by Steve Dowling, JD, CFA, MBA
Hedgerows are an iconic feature of Prince Edward Island’s scenic rural landscape. But more than being picturesque, they also play a vital role in supporting crop health, managing soil erosion, protecting water quality, and enhancing biodiversity. From aesthetic and cultural value to environmental and economic significance, hedgerows are an integral part of what makes Prince Edward Island unique. Without them, the Island would be diminished.
They also offer a powerful metaphor.
Hedgerows illustrate the essence of systems thinking—a way of understanding how different parts of a system interact, and how changes in one area can ripple through the whole. This blog is my personal attempt in applying systems thinking to a topic I’ve been passionate about my entire life: the economic development and quality of life potential of Prince Edward Island.
As a generally accepted principal, per capita economic growth leads to rising incomes, greater affordability, enhanced capacity for supporting public services and infrastructure, and a higher overall standard of living.
But of course, quality of life is about more than economics. It’s about people, place, culture, and the environment. And in that respect, Prince Edward Island offers something truly special – something found nowhere else in Canada, or the world.
Nestled on the North Atlantic coast, Prince Edward Island is rich in culture, blessed with fertile soil, and surrounded by abundant marine resources. To be sure, the Island faces challenges including its particular vulnerability to climate change. Yet, PEI also enjoys the full legal sovereignty of a Canadian province – a rare and powerful lever for a population under 200,000 people.
A central theme of this blog is that Prince Edward Island’s quality of life, economic profile, and development potential all exist within a complex system and interconnected system.
Through this blog, I hope to explore that system, generate respectful dialogue from differing points of view, and ideally – spark some bold new ideas about how Prince Edward Island can reach its full potential.
Because in my view: The world needs more PEI.