From rhetoric to knowledge based actions – Challenges for outdoor recreation management in Sweden

Abstract

This paper investigates how outdoor recreation is considered in the context of strong biodiversity conservation ambitions, and discusses the challenges associated with outdoor recreation management in two protected areas in Sweden. The research employs qualitative techniques such as interviews with key actors and examinations of documents. The results show that while the two planning processes show a sincere engagement and effort spent on outdoor recreation management, no clear strategies for or systematic treatment of outdoor recreation became apparent. Worse, clear deficits in knowledge and relevant competences have been identified, and generally available scientific knowledge about outdoor recreation has not been utilized. Concerns of outdoor recreation are typically addressed by biologists, instead of professionals with training in any of the social sciences or planning disciplines. Apparently these fundamental deficiencies with regards to outdoor recreation can only be improved if it is recognized as a land use interest in its own right. In order to improve management and planning processes, outdoor recreation needs to be institutionalized, and receive its own management guidelines and formal process agendas. Management implicationsThe consideration of outdoor recreation in Sweden’s landscapes and protected areas lacks behind international standards. Currently it is not considered as a separate land use or planning objective, and modern recreational benefits of provision for health and wellbeing and the high esteem of outdoor recreation by the general population are ignored. Improvements would require a professional implementation process which should consider:–Area specific databases on outdoor recreation activities, including their spatial distribution;–A dedicated training and education in outdoor recreation planning and management (instead of it being an additional task for ecologically trained managers);–A strengthening of outdoor recreation research;–The mandated development and implementation of outdoor recreation related guidelines and monitoring plans; and–The development of specific frameworks sensitive to various ecological conditions (e.g. water based landscapes or forests).