Compliance with everyman’s right in protected areas perceived by recreational users

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Estonia, managing visitation in protected areas is related to Everyman's right. It is a challenge to recreation management stakeholders to ensure compliance with formal regulations. This paper assesses the behaviour and attitudes of recreationists in Estonia toward land use options and ownership; awareness of the disturbances, and willingness to accept restrictions in protected areas by different recreational activity groups. Responses of 2192 recreationists were analysed regarding land use, environmental impact and environmental sensibility. It can be concluded that without accepted or well-knowledged guidelines/codes like Everyman’s Right, it is hard to guide human behaviour in nature. When novel activities emerge or recreationists arrive from other regions or environments, the continuity of these norms/guidelines and delivering the values could become insufficient.