Cultural and spiritual significance of nature. Guidance for protected and conserved area governace and management

This best practice guidelines published by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, is the result of a long project by the IUCN Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values ​​of Protected Natural Areas, the development of which the Silene Association has given continued support, from the beginning, at the IUCN General Assembly held in Barcelona, 2008.

In the age of systemic crisis in which we live, this guide may help to rethink the foundations and values ​​that underpin conservation policies. It provides case studies and real examples from around the world for all the guidelines it proposes, with the aim of inspiring fairer and more effective models of nature conservation and helping to overcome those derived from Western cultural colonialism.

The cultural and spiritual importance of nature encompasses the spiritual, cultural, inspiring, aesthetic, historical and social meanings, values, feelings, ideas and associations that nature has for past, present and future generations of people, collectives and villages. These guidelines respond to a growing need to make nature conservation more inclusive, effective and equitable, taking into account multiple worldviews, treating natural and cultural heritage as interrelated, and proposing ways to attract and empower all groups. of relevant interest in conservationist design, governance and management. The guidelines also help create common ground to conflict resolution, fostering the applycation of rights-based approaches that recognize both human rights and legal pluralism.