PERSONAL REPORT Zvolen, 3.9.- 16.9.2006 Anamarija Šegina, Slovenia Introduction Slovenia is a country of 2,03 Mha of area and its diversity is main reason for a high percentage of protected areas. Altogether with different categories of protection there‟s protected 11,5 % of state area. In the shape of NATURA 2000 the protection is 35,5%, of which the parks cover 25%. Also to mention forests here, which are covering 1,16 Mha, that is 58% of land.
What landscape is?
LANDSCAPE = Nature PLUS People LANDSCAPE = The past PLUS The present LANDSCAPE = Physical attributes (scenery, nature, historic heritage) PLUS Associative values (social and cultural)
IUCN categories and the number of its areas in Slovenia: CATEGORY Ia: Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science CATEGORY Ib : Wilderness Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection (1) CATEGORY II : National Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation (1) CATEGORY III : Natural Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features (623) CATEGORY IV : Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention (52) CATEGORY V : Protected Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation (44) CATEGORY VI : Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems
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A new paradigm for protected areas (after Beresford and Phillips, 2000) As it was: protected areas were … As it is becoming: protected areas are …
Planned and managed against people Run with, for, and in some cases by local people Run by central government Run by many partners Set aside for conservation Run also with social and economic objectives Managed without regard to local community Managed to help meet needs of local people Developed separately Planned as part of national, regional and international systems Managed as „islands‟ Developed as „networks‟ (strictly protected areas, buffered and linked by green corridors) Established mainly for scenic protection Often set up for scientific, economic and cultural reasons Managed mainly for visitors and tourists Managed with local people more in mind Managed reactively within short timescale Managed adaptively with long-term perspective About protection Also about restoration and rehabilitation Viewed primarily as a national asset Viewed also as a community asset Viewed exclusively as a national concern Viewed also as an international concern
Sustainable tourism (taken from Management Guidelines for IUCN Category V Protected Areas) IUCN has recently published advice on tourism in all kinds of protected areas. It contains much detailed guidance on the topic. In several places, it identifies the special needs and characteristics of tourism in Category V protected areas. The most important point is that, in Category V protected areas, provision for recreation and tourism is usually fully integrated into the local economy and social circumstances rather than being just a “park service”. This is why, in Category V protected areas: _ it might sometimes be appropriate to accommodate some carefully regulated general tourism, e.g. a well-designed resort-type development of appropriate scale, whereas in most protected areas the focus would be on eco-tourism _ it would often be appropriate to provide accommodation and other forms of servicing for tourists within the designated areas so as to bring economic benefits to local communities, whereas these might be excluded from most protected areas; _ many facilities that serve local needs in Category V protected areas – e.g. the road network, footpaths, shops and places to eat and drink – will be shared with visitors, so there is scope to develop visitor facilities to help meet the needs of the local community; and _ many partnerships will need to be built with the private, voluntary and community sectors for the provision of services to visitors in Category V protected areas; If recreation and tourism are important parts of the economy of many Category V protected areas, their development should nonetheless follow the principles of sustainability. This relates both to new tourism development and to established provision, which needs to be realigned along more sustainable lines. The tourism that takes place in Category V protected areas should have integrated environmental, economic and social aims, which draws on the work of EUROPARC Federation in Europe (2001).
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There is a close connection between tourism and the enjoyment of Category V protected areas and the related issues of public awareness, education, information and interpretation. In particular, one of the principal benefits of tourism in protected areas is that it should lead to better knowledge and awareness of conservation of natural and cultural values among visitors and local people. Thus the „targets‟ for education are both those who live in the area and those who visit it. But their needs are rather different: _For those living in the area, the need is to foster an awareness of their landscape and culture, and to sustain, re-awaken or develop a pride in their significance. Under the impact of alien cultural influences, local people may sometimes undervalue the importance of their own culture and traditions. This in turn can undermine culturally related land use and other practices which are critical to the survival of the landscape heritage. Without denying people access to the benefits of modern living, it is desirable to institute educational programs that aim to revive cultural traditions, arts and crafts. These can help to reinforce community pride and identity, and provide a source of additional income. Such efforts should be considered both at the school level (through courses and materials which are integrated where appropriate into national curricula) and with adults through programs of community learning and training. _ For visitors, the need is to foster an appreciation of why the area, its landscape and its people are important, and to develop a sense of respect for its significance. Here the advice already set out by IUCN in relation to tourism and protected areas is especially relevant. This stresses that both potential and existing park visitors require information, varying from simple facts about the location of the protected area and opening times, fees for facilities, to much more complex interpretation of cultural history and local ecology. Visitors need access to information about the area that they are visiting before, during and sometimes after their visit. As their understanding of the area grows, visitors will show more curiosity about its natural environment and history, about the culture of people living in it, and about the role of visitors. This is the demand to which interpretation should respond. The result of well-planned interpretation should be a more fulfilling visitor experience for thousands of people. Protected Landscape agencies should develop policies for public awareness, education, information and interpretation. Guidelines for forests, woodlands and trees in Category V protected areas (taken from Management Guidelines for IUCN Category V Protected Areas) _ identify and protect all remaining old growth, virgin or ancient forests and woodlands; _ safeguard all forest and woodlands that play an important part in watershed protection; _ encourage the protection and reinstatement of other woodland features in the landscape, such as hedgerows and copses; _ promote community links (economic, educational, recreational, spiritual etc.) with woodlands, so that the value of wooded areas is increased; _ respect and support forests and woodlands that are retained by the initiative of local communities; _ encourage industry which uses woodlands on a sustainable basis (e.g. well-managed charcoal production, small-scale timber production);
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_ promote links between existing woodland areas by new planting so that ecological corridors and landscape features are enhanced; _ encourage the multiple use of forests and woodlands, including as sustainable energy sources; _ permit the traditional, sustainable use of medicinal herbs, mushrooms, aromatic plants and wild fruits and vegetables; _ add value to forest products by processing them in local communities; _ use new planting (and encourage natural regeneration) to restore abandoned or damaged land, provide for recreation, enhance the landscape in general and reduce the visual impact of new development; and _ use native tree species and local provenance for new planting.
Innovation Innovations are any kind of novelties introduced in the market, only a little part of them are successful and they are the result of a long process. The innovation can be tangible like a new product or process, and not tangible like a new service. The innovation is not only the introduction of new product or services, but also the improvement of them, possibility to integrate traditional system or product with new ones, because the consumer demands are different.
CASE STUDY: Logarska dolina d.o.o. Nature background: Logarska dolina (which means Logarska valley) was created by the play of the nature deep in the heart of the Kamniško-Savinjske Alps, enshrouded by the lofty peaks of Kroficka, Ojstrica, Lučka Baba, Planjava, Brana, Turska Gora and Rinke, all of which rise above 2,000 metres. The foundations of the picturesque Alpine valley one can enjoy today were in fact laid down during the last Ice Age when a huge glacier abraded a 7-km long, 250-m wide "U" shaped basin. The valley is divided into three parts: the lower tract is called Log, the central one Plest, whilst the upper part is known as Kot. Log and Plest are covered by meadows, whilst Kot is partially forested. Behind the green scenery of the forest one can hear the magnificent cascading of the Rinka Waterfall. Thanks to its unique position it represents an excellent starting point for many attractive climbs on the peaks of the Savinja Alps. The vegetation hereabouts is adapted to relief and climatic conditions. Lower slopes are covered by forest, mostly spruce and beech, but also here and there with fir, pine and the larch which grows right up to the tree line; one can also find patches of dwarf pine growing above this line. The population of this district are primarily engaged in forestry, animal husbandry and most recently tourism, the prosperity of which is largely supported by this area's great natural beauty. An unspoiled natural environment, coupled with the fact that this region had not been overdeveloped, has worked to the advantage of the local community. However, the people of the Solcava District are well aware that this pristine environment must be preserved at all costs; for this reason they have chosen to develop high quality tourism which emphasizes the individual, offering him peace as well as the opportunity to enjoy an active holiday in harmony with nature. The attraction of Logarska Dolina Valley to the nature lover lies in its abundant natural sights coupled with an almost pristine environment. A characteristic mark is also imparted by the
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farmsteads which have over the centuries aided in contriving a cultural landscape fashioned by the hand of man. The result? - Complete harmony of man and nature, a characteristic seldom found in this day and age. Because of all this Logarska Dolina was made a regional park, the future image of which rests on the successful development of quality tourism in symbiosis with nature.
Short description of the case enterprise and its business areas: Enterprise is creating activities. Their activities are orientated to conserving the nature, running the visits, developing public and private relations, developing eco-tourism. Possible activities in the valley are mountaineering, alpine skiing, photo safari, mountain biking, paragliding, horse-back riding, horse-pulled carriage rides, archery, hiking, climbing, ice climbing, walking, sledding, cross country skiing, tour skiing. Goals of this enterprise are aimed mainly to promote the tourism to increase the local economy, also with the collaboration of tourism firms that organize the guide programs and promotion of festivals and trips. FOUNDATION: 1992 SHORT HISTORY: In the year 1987 community established Landscape Park Logarska dolina. But it didn‟t reduce problems with tourism, because the community order didn‟t provide financing of the park. Because of such situation, natives by themselves prepared goals of development and acquire concession for managing park and in the year 1992 they established the enterprise Logarska dolina d.o.o. LEGAL FORM OF ENTERPRISE: private (14 owners) AREA: 2.450 ha STAFF: 6 TURNOVER: non profit PROBLEM: There were conflicts between natives, tourists and nature. Question: How to live in the protected area? Short description of the innovation case It‟s the first example of establishing the enterprise by natives and their acquiring of concession for managing protected area in Slovenia. It‟s public-private partnership. Very new approach was collecting the entrance fee for motor vehicles coming into park, purposive use of funds and running of visits. Since the establishment, which was actually an innovation by itself, they have managed to settle natural/cultural attractions and have arranged naturalethnographical path. They have registered the trade mark and renovated alpine dairy farm where they offer home-made products. This products have added market value because its factor of tradition. Other way they are not competitive on market because of difficulties in harvesting. Enterprise is giving the compensation money to owners of forests because wood production function is limited in the protected areas, considering other functions of forest.
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Innovation strategies: Harmonizing public and private interests between natives in the landscape park and economy and vision of sustainable development. Future innovation plans: Logarska dolina d.o.o. is initiator for establishing Regional Park Kamniško- Savinjske Alpe.
Analysis of the innovation RESULTS AFTER INNOVATION:
- Arranging of natural-ethnographical path
- 22 settled natural/cultural attractions
- Few natives employed
- International award for sustainable project in the Alpine region
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- Registration of trade mark, renovation of alpine dairy farm
- Offering homemade products
- Distant warming with wooden biomass (800 kW)
- Eco-tourism
Conclusions Twelve principles for the management of Category V protected areas 1. Conserving landscape, biodiversity and cultural values are at the heart of the Category V protected area approach. 2. The focus of management should be on the point of interaction between people and nature. 3. People should be seen as stewards of the landscape. 4. Management must be undertaken with and through local people, and mainly for and by them. 5. Management should be based on co-operative approaches, such as co-management and multi-stakeholder equity. 6. Effective management requires a supportive political and economic environment. 7. Management should not only be concerned with protect-ion but also enhancement. 8. When there is an irreconcilable conflict between the objectives of management, priority should be given to retaining the special qualities of the area. 9. Economic activities that do not need to take place within the Protected Landscape should be located outside it. 10. Management should be business-like and of the highest professional standard. 11. Management should be flexible and adaptive. 12. The success of management should be measured in environmental and social terms. Tourism in the protected areas must be planned, managed and undertaken in a way that avoids or minimize damage to biodiversity. Supported and served by complex visitor management it must be environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially equitable. The visitor management strategies based on detailed research of nature and social surrounding should necessarily be part of the national park management plans. Constant collaboration between experts of nature reserve and tourism must be supported in member countries and also on EU level.
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The EU should support a wider publicity of successful visitor management strategies and best practices. With protection of forest we want to achieve harmony between forest and needs of people. Over the past two decades an increasing number of governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, as well as the private sector, have become involved with the promotion and utilization of nature protection. Visitor management is a process for park management to balance two different objectives: nature conservation and visitor satisfaction. Usually the target of nature protection is to prevent harmfull activities. Here we can see the conflict between nature protection and visitors. We do not want to reduce number of visitors because high level of public participation is important to provide better understanding of environmental issues. Statistical data shows that the number of tourists is increasing. We should support their interests because it means they will care about nature. Unfortunatelly, what visitors bring into the nature is not only good. We should guide the interest of people to focus the visiting activity in areas which are interesting from the point of nature protection but not too sensitive. Where human interaction may result extinction of species, the visiting activity should be kept on a low level. Where protected areas are in private ownership, owners should receive specific education to have a better understanding in the field of nature protection. This will help them to keep regulations and follow environmentally sound management. If owners are asked to consider also other functions of forest not only wood production function, they should receive the compensation money. Attitude of nature protection should be changed on that way that we have to treat people as partners not as dangerous factor. My opinion is that the innovation system of the Park is quite good and the projects and fields of activities are many and different, the recommendations that I can do are mainly related to the new concept that I learnt and some new ideas about managing park, as mentioned in conclusion.
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