Adventure Races in Brazil: Do Stakeholders Take Conservation into Consideration?

Carolina Bartoletti,Gabriel Adrián Sarriés,Teresa Cristina Magro-Lindenkamp

doi:10.3390/environments6070077

Carolina Bartoletti, Gabriel Adrián Sarriés + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/environments6070077

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Journal: Environments	Publication Date: Jul 3, 2019
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo

Abstract

This case study used exploratory and descriptive research to look into how stakeholders involved in the organization and practice of adventure races in Brazil perceive impacts related to this outdoor activity. Additionally, questions were posed about whether such impacts have been taken into consideration when planning these sporting events. Finally, the research aimed to understand why racers and adventure race organizers choose a certain time of year and venue to partake and organize a race: whether for more logistical purposes or also considering conservation. Online surveys were set up to target adventure race organizers, racers, and national park managers. Overall, there seems to be very little knowledge among racers and race organizers about social and environmental impacts associated with adventure races. This has led to the organization of events with very few or no specific concerns to the environment. Moreover, racers and adventure race organizers seem to perceive certain ecological issues—i.e., erosion—as challenges to the sport and not a problem to be addressed or avoided. National park managers were the group surveyed with more knowledge about the negative impacts adventure races might have on the environment.

Highlights

The use of natural areas for recreation, sports and physical activities is of increasing importance to a range of professionals from park managers to public health managers
The study did not focus on one single event or one single site, it did focus on the relationship among national park managers, adventure racers and race organizers
It did not focus on the relationship between adventure racers and organizers and other protected area managers, such as state parks managers, as national parks tend to be more attractive for big events such as the adventure race world championships that have been organized in Brazil

Summary

Introduction

The use of natural areas for recreation, sports and physical activities is of increasing importance to a range of professionals from park managers to public health managers. The National Park Service has developed strategies to increase access and opportunities for physical activities in national parks [1]. In Brazil, there are still no governmental initiatives to stimulate outdoor recreation. There has been an increase in the use of protected areas for a variety of sporting events. These races began to be organized in Brazil in 1998 with a single annual event named Expedição Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest Expedition), and in the past two decades the country has hosted two adventure race world championships (in 2008 and 2015, respectively) besides numerous other smaller events each year [2]

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