The Protected Landscape Approach - Centre for Mediterranean ...

The Protected Landscape Approach: Linking Nature, Culture and Community
Sheep grazing, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), England. Conservation
effort in the UK has focused on lived-in landscapes. Countryside Agency/Ian Dalgleish
associated with hedgerows in the area. This is achieved by running the annual Hedge Event, as
well as providing training events and workshops aimed at promoting and educating people
about rural skills and crafts using materials from hedgerows. As a defining feature of the British
countryside over centuries, hedgerows have created the characteristic structure, pattern and
living record of landscape history. There are many local variations, with distinctive ecological
and cultural associations, and they are an increasingly important habitat refuge for wildlife.
In addition to running classes, the Hedge Association promotes its aims by taking displays to
local and national events, becoming involved with the Blackdown Woodlands Pilot, and
sharing their coppicing skills with others. Also, they have assisted with the creation of the Roe
Deer Sculpture located on the roadside to signify the gateway to the Blackdown Hills.
The Welsh National Parks – models of sustainable development
The idea that Protected Landscapes could be the places where sustainable forms of rural
development are pioneered and promoted is in the IUCN guidelines on Category V protected
areas: “Category V protected areas …could become pioneers in society’s search for more
sustainable futures” (Phillips, 2002). What can be learnt about this idea from a recent report on
the Welsh national parks
There are three national parks in Wales, Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the
Pembrokeshire Coast. Together they cover about 20% of the country and are home to only
2.9% of the population. The legislation that set up the parks, last updated in 1995, established
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