| Abstract |
Innovation has become a key topic in the ongoing search for more effective, efficient and legitimate forms of protected area governance. In response to changing circumstances, new management challenges, and failed policies, managers of protected areas are continuously rethinking and adapting their policies and practices and exploring new ones. Over the years it has become clear that the sustainable management of protected areas remains a difficult challenge. The huge diversity of practices shows that protected areas can be governed in many different ways and that approaches should be dynamic. Management practices regularly need to be revised in order to adapt to changing social and ecological circumstances. Managers for example need to deal with increasing visitor numbers, changing visitor’ demands, environmental pressures due to recreational activities, budget cuts, or changing organizational beliefs. To some extend such changes reflect wider societal developments, such as emerging trends in outdoor activities, a changing political landscape, or economic ups and downs. |
