The Diversity of Sacred Lands in Europe: Proceedings of the Third Workshop of the Delos Initiative – Inari/Aanaar 2010

Proceedings from the third international seminar of the Delos Initiative, organized by Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Service (organization in charge of the system of protected natural areas in Finland), held in Anar/Aanaar/Inari in northern Finnish Lapland on 1–3 July 2010. This volume consists of six parts and describes many natural shrines found in protected natural areas in Europe. The first part deals with the indigenous Sami people and their relationship with nature. The second part presents case studies of ancient sacred places, of the conservation of sacred natural sites in Estonia and of spiritual heritage and environmental awareness. Thirdly, using three case studies, the article discusses the management of natural area by mainstream religions. The fourth part contains three articles on the management of natural areas by monastic communities. The fifth part describes the diversity of sacred natural sites in Europe, while the last part includes the results of a participatory exercise on the applicability of UNESCO-IUCN guidelines for the management of protected natural areas in sacred natural sites, along with the conclusions of the seminar.