Download a free PDF giving guidance for protected and conserved area governance and management.
Whilst this document is not new, it was recommended by an IE member and may be relevant to some of our members who work in natural area conservation, or interpretation of natural areas.Published in 2021 by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) along with several other organisations, it forms part of the Best Practice Protected Areas Guidelines.
From the abstract: The cultural and spiritual significance of nature has been defined as the spiritual, cultural, inspirational, aesthetic, historic and social meanings, values, feelings, ideas and associations that natural features and nature in general have for past, present and future generations of people – both individuals and groups. These guidelines respond to a growing need to make conservation more inclusive, effective and socially just by accommodating multiple worldviews; by treating natural and cultural heritage as interlinked; and by suggesting ways for engaging and empowering all relevant groups and stakeholders in protected area design, governance and management. The guidelines also assist with creating common ground, resolving conflicts and implementing rights-based approaches that recognise human rights and legal pluralism.
Many of the aims of these guidelines seem to align with our approach to heritage interpretation.
You can download the document as a PDF from IUCN here: https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/49268
To cite this article: IE News Team (2024) ‘The cultural and spiritual significance of nature‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2024, pg.19. Available online: https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Newsletter-2024_4.pdf
