Local nuances in the perception of nature protection and place attachment: a tale of two parks

Abstract

Even though geographers and psychologists have written extensively about the diverse ways in which people-place bonds are articulated across space, there has been little work on the extent to which perceptions of nature protection both influence and are influenced by the strength of place attachment. Therefore, this paper explores the attitudes and opinions of local residents towards nature protection and place attachment in two East and Central European (ECE) national parks: Šumava in the Czech Republic and Pelister in the Republic of Macedonia. Our analysis is based on expert interviews and a standardised questionnaire survey undertaken in both areas in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The research results emphasise that that local residents maintain a strong place attachment to the protected areas in which they live, regardless of the strictness and quality of the environmental management regime in them. It has also become evident that local residents do not distinguish among the different activities, roles and types of care for the national park undertaken by the authorities, despite the existence of divergent local conditions. In more general terms, the paper hopes to demonstrate the benefits of using a multi-method, geographically aware approach towards the study of nature protection practices.

Changes in Local People’s Perceptions of the Sumava National Park in the Czech Republic over a Ten Year Period (1998–2008)

“…As mentioned in previous chapters, many local inhabitants of Sumava do not have a long-standing relationship (multigenerational) with the region. If we define the place attachment (place relationship) as the 'effective link that people establish with specific settings, where they tend to remain and where they feel comfortable and safe' [36], the newcomers presented high place relationship and appreciation of the natural environment, in contrast to long-established settlers. The newcomers also declared stronger support for conservation policies.…”

“…Since establishing the NP, there have been controversies in forest management, particularly whether the National Park mission should include felling trees affected by the bark beetle. This management approach has changed from interventionist (cutting and removal of invaded tress) to natural (self-regeneration of the forest) [36]. Probably the most acute weakness of the Sumava region is a set conflicts of interests related to different approaches to land-use from the points of view of landscape protection institutions and regional development strategies represented by municipalities and development agencies [37].…”

Local Reactions Concerning Serbia’s Obedska Bara Nature Reserve

“…Local and non-local residents' attitudes toward protected areas were examined in Gennangertu National park in Sardinia and the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in Italy [7]. Local residents' attitudes and opinions toward nature protection and place attachment were studied in two national parks: Šumava in the Czech Republic and Pelister in the Republic of Macedonia [12]. The importance of local community involvement in protected area management was emphasized in a study of the Slovakian national park system [13].…”

The role of managed natural spaces in connecting people with urban nature: a comparison of local user, researcher, and provider views

“…However, the context in which providers make decisions will be much broader than this, and management is often the responsibility of providers who have little direct engagement with individual spaces at a local level and responsibility for making decisions across a number of sites (Tempesta and Vecchiato 2015). Studies comparing the views of stakeholder groups regarding protected areas in Italy (Tempesta and Vecchiato 2015), and the Czech Republic and Republic of Macedonia (Petrova et al 2011) have sought the views of both local users and stakeholders from a wider context. Hence, broadening the sample of providers to include providers and researchers from the national level takes into account the wider context in which the management of natural spaces takes place (Petrova et al 2011).…”

“…Studies comparing the views of stakeholder groups regarding protected areas in Italy (Tempesta and Vecchiato 2015), and the Czech Republic and Republic of Macedonia (Petrova et al 2011) have sought the views of both local users and stakeholders from a wider context. Hence, broadening the sample of providers to include providers and researchers from the national level takes into account the wider context in which the management of natural spaces takes place (Petrova et al 2011).…”