Belongers : the place of social values in conservation planning

Nature and humanity have always coexisted within intimate and complex relationships. Protected area managers in Australia are increasingly aware of these relationships, which are reflected within relevant policies and legislation. Policy implementation has often taken place through constituency building and program development. However, protected area decision making still does not necessarily include an analysis of socio-ecological relationships at the initial conservation planning level. Until this takes place, protected areas may continue to suffer inadequate funding and increasing human induced pressures. Using social constructivism as a baseline theory, and drawing on a case study as well as Australian Commonwealth planning and legislative decision making tools, this paper shows that incorporating local human values into decision making mechanisms can create more rigorous national conservation prioritisation and stronger community partnerships in support of it.