Local communities’ engagement in nature conservation has been widely recognized as improving conservation outcomes. In practice, however, representation of general public in shaping nature policy still remains low. Properly... [ view full abstract ]
Local communities’ engagement in nature conservation has been widely recognized as improving conservation outcomes. In practice, however, representation of general public in shaping nature policy still remains low. Properly designed communication and education may impact positively upon the individual’s awareness about nature, and provide opportunities for local communities to become more environmentally conscious and engaged. Although these can be achieved by incorporating holistic communication methodologies that underlines (1) interdependence between natural and social subsystems of protected areas, (2) spatial connections between legally protected sites and their adjacent landscapes, the integration of these approaches into a nature governance policy is still lacking.
Here, we present a detailed analysis of effectiveness of public consultation - PC, home advisors - HA and Public Participation GIS - PPGIS – novel communication approaches conducted at Natura 2000 Network (N2000) sites in Poland over last decade. PC is a series of public meetings aimed to increase N2000 acceptance, informing respondents about its profits and consulting borders of protected areas (PA). HA was based on volunteers who, after trainings, visited households at protected and adjacent sites. At each household, they conducted a survey on how residents think and act for nature in their locality and informed them about the local protection system. PPGIS was used to identify social and cultural ecosystem values in PA. The identification of ecosystem values in PPGIS, when combined with spatially-explicit management preferences, provides an opportunity to model the potential for land use conflict. We designed, pre-tested, and implemented internet-based PPGIS websites for data collection. PPGIS participants translated their non-spatial values and preferences into behavioural choices when mapping place-specific values and preferred uses.
Disputed evaluation comprises the results of longitudinal studies, conducted during the entire process of N2000 implementation in Poland: site selection, monitoring of endangered species and development of management plans. The author discusses, using various case studies, how the performance of PC, HA, and PPGIS may enrich and shape a final format of nature governance into a more participatory plan and identify useful guidance on a practical application of the general findings in nature conservation globally and its main funding mechanism.
