There are many obscurities between environmentalist and the public caused by lack of communication, not primarily by their opposing interests. The public is not deeply familiar with the mission of national parks, their possibilities and potential. They often see a national park simply as an obstacle of local development and they are not able to imagine why and how it is good for them.
On the other hand employees of the national parks are usually not communication experts. The State Nature Conservation body in Slovakia is historically aimed at so-called practical conservation, combined with research activities. Its operation is based on directive and administrative management. Public relations, a positive image and increase of the public’s environmental awareness are usually omitted.

 

Goal of the Project

Communication and Interpretation Strategies in Nature Conservation is the full title of this project aimed at increasing mutual understanding between environmentalists and investors in protected areas as well as the public’s interest in nature protection.

Partners

The project is implemented in partnership with the Management of the Low Tatras National Park (NAPANT), Ö.T.E. and marketing experts. The project is financed by several sources. Half of the budget is covered by the DBU Foundation, and the rest comes from individual budgets of the project partners (Ekopolis Foundation, Ö.T.E. and NAPANT)

Project Phases

1st Phase
A manual for professional environmentalists
A methodology of plan of tourism management in the protected areas
A methodology of development/renewal of tourist and educational trails

2nd Phase
A draft of communication strategy for the Ďumbier region in the Low Tatras
A brief analyses of alternatives of tourism development in the Ďumbier region in the Low Tatras

3rd Phase
Implementation of selected measures of the communication strategy the Low Tatra National Park and related Natura 2000 sites - workshops, fam trips, information and promotion material, branding, etc.