Using the experience of the Parks in Peril program -- a wide-ranging project instituted by The Nature Conservancy and its partner organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean to foster better park management -- this book presents a broad analysis of current trends in park management and the implications for biodiversity conservation. It examines the context of current park management and challenges many commonly held views from social, political, and ecological perspectives. The book argues that: biodiversity conservation is inherently political sustainable use has limitations as a primary tool for biodiversity conservation effective park protection requires understanding the social context at varying scales of analysis actions to protect parks need a level of conceptual rigor that has been absent from recent programs built around slogans and stereotypesNine case studies highlight the interaction of ecosystems, local peoples, and policy in park management, and describe the context of field-based conservation from the perspective of those actually implementing the programs. Parks in Peril builds from the case studies and specific park-level concerns to a synthesis of findings from the sites. The editors draw on the case studies to challenge popular conceptions about parks and describe future directions that can ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.Throughout, contributors argue that protected areas are extremely important for the protection of biodiversity, yet such areas cannot be expected to serve as the sole means of biodiversity conservation. Requiring them to carry the entire burden of conservation is a recipe for ecological and social disaster.

This study proceeds on Campbell’s (2002) argument that in today’s biodiversity conservation discourse, the traditional exclusionary conservation narrative co-exists with a counter-narrative on sustainable use through ecotourism. Based on the perception of a global biodiversity crisis the conservation landscape has seen the resurgence of the traditional conservation discourse, which reinforces the argument against social objectives of conservation and for an exclusionary conservation approach drawing on the notion of wilderness. Local resource use practices are restricted or prohibited, while ecotourism is considered the most sustainable option. However, as a proposed alternative livelihood strategy for local residents, ecotourism often fails to deliver on claims that it significantly benefits local development, while it may be more conducive to furthering ecological imperatives.Based on an analysis of the management of Komodo National Park, Indonesia, and the development of communities within the Park, this study argues that ecotourism may only be a politically attractive slogan that provides conservation agencies with the political and economic justification for an exclusionary protected area management approach. Instead of taking into account economic, social and cultural concerns of local residents, a conservation regime that adopts ecotourism as a conservation strategy may ultimately leave local people struggling to meet their present needs.

Each book in the Adventures with the Parkers series for kids 8-13 takes the Parker family to a popular national park and is packed with adventure as well as interesting facts about park activities, natural history, outdoor safety, and much more. All books have been vetted and approved by park officials and park associations. Each book includes color illustrations and photographs.

First published in 1995. This volume traces the origin and development of America's national park citizen 'watchdog' organisation. Giving an insider's perspective, and reflecting an outsiders quest for objectivity, it will be of interest to every park enthusiast and conversation historian.

Against the background of colonial and postcolonial experiences, this volume shows that power relations and stereotypes embedded in the original Western idea of a national park are a continuing reality of contemporary national and transnational parks. The volume seeks to dispel the myth that colonial beliefs and practices in protected areas have ended with the introduction of ‘new’ nature conservation policies and practices. It explores this continuity against the backdrop of the development of the national park idea in the West, and its trajectories in colonial and postcolonial societies, particularly southern Africa. This volume analyses the dynamic relations between people and national parks and assesses these in southern Africa against broader experiences in postcolonial societies. It draws examples from a broad range of situations and places. It reinserts issues of prejudices into contemporary national park systems, and accounts for continuities and interruptions in national parks ideals in different contexts. Its interpretation of material transcends the North-South divide. This volume is accessible to readers from different academic backgrounds. It is of special interest to academics, policymakers and Non-Governmental Organisations. This book can also be used as prescribed or reference material in courses taught at university.

Annotation A collection of papers regarding the conservation of Costa Rica's tropical dry forest, which is disappearing more rapidly than its rain forest, due to ease of conversion to agriculture.