Power dynamics in nature conservation

The "SCNAT knowledge" web portal provides guidance. The Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and its network report the state of knowledge, based on sound scientific findings and in regards to Switzerland - for the attention of politics, administration, business, science and practice. more Image: Tobias Günther, SNSF Scientific Image Competition more Carte blanche for Ross T. Shackleton, Livia B. Fritz and Mosè Cometta from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) Switzerland had two projects for new national parks, namely the Adula Park and Locarnese Park, both of which were rejected by the local population. Greater consideration should be given to subtle power dynamics in future to ensure the creation of more equitable conservation projects. The article reflects the personal opinions of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of SCNAT. The establishment of both the Adula and Locarnese national parks followed suggestions from the local communities, was widely discussed by them andappeared to offer numerous advantages for both the local population and the environment. But how did these projects fail when it came to the vote? A variety of research projects identified subtle power dynamics that were given inadequate attention during the design of these areas.