Conserving Nature at Sacred Sites: State of knowledge and prospects for research Symposium

During the last decade, nature conservation organizations have begun to recognize and document the potential of sacred natural sites for preserving biological diversity. Sacred natural sites in this context are natural or semi-natural areas protected in the name of spiritual or religious beliefs that usually offer special advantages of community-based, long-term resource management. While most studies about sacred natural sites have focused on indigenous peoples with shamanistic or animistic beliefs, there is growing evidence that such sites located in historical religions contexts, like Christianity, also convey distinct conservation advantages. The goal of this symposium is to assess the field’s state of knowledge and prospects for research of sacred natural sites.