Reducing anthropological pressure and enhance visitor experience in nature trail Līču-Laņgu klintis
About this good practice
Increased demand for outdoor recreation possibilitiesand limited outbound travel during COVID 19 pandemic caused extreme load on nature trail Līču-Lanģu cliffs (Gaujas National park, Latvia) exceeding capacity of site, that resulted in physical damage of object, disturbance and costs for local community and negative visitor experience.
Local community initiative organization “Liepas kopa” noticed the situation and initiated several communication rounds with stakeholders (municipality, Nature conservation agency, local public, Vidzeme planning region). The site inspections together with stakeholders were implemented followed by proposal development of solutions.
These catalyzed further activities implemented by directly responsible stakeholder. For instance, NCA - renovated trail infrastructure, changed signage; municipality – changed location of parking place, reviewed information about site, local community – started small business activities.
Outputs and results (so far):
1. Re-planning of direction (flow) of trail;
2. Signage system renovation;
3. Information display on-site;
4. Re-location of parking place;
5. Several future initiative ideas.
Local community initiative organization “Liepas kopa” continues it's work on the destination development and promoting it's values to public, simultaneously educating visitors, engaging locals and actively communicating with public sector actors.
Resources needed
Not specific funding, involved parties used own funding and resources to implement specific activities. The community initiative group consists of ~30 persons, 3 of them are leading the activities. Manly it is voluntary work, knowledge, contact network and motivation of initiative group members.
Evidence of success
Implemented solution reduced anthropogenic pressure by renovation of infrastructure, enhanced visitor safety and experience by changing the direction of visitor flow, location of parking and improving information on site.
Changes induced economic activities by local community (2 cafes were opened along with other tourism and business services in area).
Cooperation among local community and other stakeholders is stable enhances creation of development opportunities.
Potential for learning or transfer
This case proves that complex solutions initiated and directed by local community on voluntary basis without specific funding or other resources are possible and can continua as long term activity chain. Core element of success is the fact of established resultative dialogue.
Key learning points:
1. Local initiative groups can be powerful, because they are owners of past and present information, as well as competences, capacity and networks, which sometimes is insufficient in public bodies.
2. Natural heritage objects are exposed to natural changes, this requests frequent follow-up and flexibility in regards of planning and implementation.
3. Mindset and sequence of actions: local community observed problem, analyzed from different perspectives, created network, initiated specific steps.