ACCEPTANCE OF NATIONAL-PARKS AND PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES

This paper deals with the acceptance of National Parks in the German Wadden Sea by the local people. Examples show both advantages and disadvantages of participation of local people in decision-making processes. Different steps to increase acceptance and effectiveness of protection measures are described. The most important of these are: employ professionals for guarding the protected areas; provide guidelines and plans about the development of the areas and guarantee a steady flow of information, regular meetings and discussions with all people involved; support critical, independent organizations, e.g. non-governmental organizations (NGO).