Making the cultural and spiritual significance of nature work for protected areas

Abstract

The objective is to broad-en the scope of protected area governance and management to include the cultural and spiritual significance that nature has for diverse societies and cultures, by engaging and seek-ing support from local communities, indigenous traditions, mainstream religions, and the general public. Through the recognition and integration of cultural and spiritual values, protected areas will be more effective, sustainable and socially equitable. The programme was launched at the  IUCN World Parks Congress. The IUCN resolution on 'Recognising cul-tural and spiritual significance of nature in protected and conserved areas' provides institutional legitimacy and has the potential to influence policies and activities of IUCN members and beyond. The programme comprises five com-plementary and interrelated projects: () the development of IUCN Best Practice Guidelines, () the collection and dis-semination of case studies, () a peer reviewed book, () the development of training modules, and () the creation of a network of practitioners. Parts of the programme have been funded by the World Commission on Protected Areas, The Christensen Fund and the German Federal Ministry for Nature Conservation. The Best Practice Guidelines Series, published by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, is primarily meant for protected area managers but also for those in-volved with governance. The volume on the cultural and spiritual significance of nature engaged over  experts from a diversity of backgrounds, expertise and regions, and consists of general principles, and guidelines for en-gaging rights-holders and stakeholders, creating common ground, dealing with conflict, and integrating cultural and spiritual significance of nature throughout protected area management. Each guideline is illustrated with an example of its implementation, and case studies demonstrate the po-tential for application to different management categories and governance types.