Towards a Participatory Approach in Developing Environmental Education Programs: Reflections in Cape Peninsula National Park, South Africa

Abstract

"In the new democratic era in South Africa (SA), South African National Parks (SANP), as with all other government-related organizations, has had to undergo a restructuring and transformation process. In the process of reviewing policies and transforming the organization and its corporate image, the Social Ecology (SE) department was established in 1994, to play a key role in implementing the new mission and vision of the organization. While from the point of view of bio-diversity management SANP parks are regarded as the best managed in the world, the SANP is, however, influenced by the legacy of colonialism and apartheid (SANP Corporate plan, 1998). The SE department has thus been mandated to develop appropriate policy frameworks, to build the capacity of SANP personnel in articulating and implementing economic, cultural and educational empowerment initiatives that will benefit the local communities neighboring national parks. Recognizing the significance of community participation in conservation (SE policy, 1995), the department has continually strived to influence the SANP policies and practices to accelerate a shift from the traditional expert-driven conservation practices to a more holistic, community-oriented management of natural and cultural heritage resources.

"From a practitioner's perspective, with an experience of working in two of SANP parks and involvement in various debates of unravelling the concept and the philosophy behind SE within and outside the organization, the presenter will share her experiences on the challenges of implementing this relatively new approach in SA. In particular, the presentation will focus on challenges experienced in the process of developing Environmental Education (EE) programs in Cape Peninsula National Park (CPNP), a recently established park. It will further explain how these challenges have been transformed into a research opportunity."