National Conference

Parks, for Only One Earth

Parks for only one earth
"Carta di Feltre-Charter of Feltre".

This is a recommendation by those taking part in the 'Park for only One Earth ' conference, so that it may be endorsed by all the "people of the parks".
This document is the result of a proposal first made by the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, and has been compiled on the basis of the contributions received on line, at the forum web site, and during the Conference. It is here presented for the attention of "the parks' people", the management Authorities, NGOs and to all citizens, so that they may discuss it and, by complying with it, support the cultural movement asking for the enhancement of the protected areas network, and for the foundation of an Italian national system of protected natural areas, both terrestrial and marine.

INTRODUCTION

The extraordinary growth in the number of Protected Areas throughout the whole world , which has occurred during the last decade , shows how their role in the international community, is becoming ever more crucial for maintaining the equilibrium and the resources required to ensure life and a sustainable future for human beings. Protected Areas are indeed the best known strategy for "in situ" biodiversity conservation.
Italy is one of those nations that has shown the greatest inventive approach to heritage conservation and interpretation, as well as discovering innovative methods of protecting natural resources which are seen as the main components of sustainable social, cultural and economic development.
Our country today has a rich and vital "network" of Protected Areas, built up over the last decade by the State, the Regions, the Local Authorities, as well as by environmental NGOs, Universities and the research sector, and including an invaluable contribution by local communities. However, even if we are to acknowledge the progress made in recent years which represents an outstanding example of a cultural achievement and pride for the whole national community, there is still a long way to go.
The maintenance and nourishment of the PA network will require commitment and dedication.
" Our" Parks still have to face some great challenges, coming from both inside and outside their boundaries: the growth of people's needs, the impacts of global changes, the competition in the use of natural resources, the pressure towards urbanization and the fragmentation of habitats, all threaten to thwart the likelihood of achieving the aims of conservation and therefore a lasting and sustainable development.
Protected Areas are not yet a national "system", complete or representative of the excellence and variety of environments.
The effectiveness and transparency of their management must be enhanced, together with the capacity to maintain and improve biodiversity heritage which is one of the richest in the continent of Europe. Innovative approaches of norms, methods and resources need to be explored in order to better integrate Parks with the surrounding regions , as well as to continue to enhance the cooperation between the State and the system of self-government, resulting in a Nation which, "thinks globally and acts locally", so honouring the Millenium Development Goals that have been set out by the international community.
Also "our" Protected Areas must increasingly involve the younger generations, giving them the encouragement and necessary support to invest in their future and in that of the whole country, because "without the involvement of young people, the future cannot be ensured" (Nelson Mandela, World Park Congress, Durban, 2003).
Finally, the expertise and experience developed in Italy in the management of Protected Areas, has shown that the exceptional natural and cultural values conserved by Parks may only be effectively protected if people's sense of being shareholders of those values is enhanced, and the widest participation in their management is promoted.
To those sharing this deep awareness, this feeling of belonging and desire for participation, we, "people of the parks", propose to rediscover and revive the motivations for nature conservation, to share its ethical dimension, and to accept and endorse the principles of this "Charter of Feltre", actively committing to their dissemination and greater effectiveness.

" CARTA di FELTRE"(CHARTER OF FELTRE)

The responsibility is assigned to Parks to :

1) involve more and more "people" as promoters of the policies of conservation, which are the base of any really sustainable and lasting development;
2) put into practice policies, strategies and plans capable of preventing the serious loss of biodiversity, which is the biggest threat to the future of humankind;
3) act as the point of reference for the wide-spread dissemination of innovative policies for the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity throughout the nation, in order to avoid the fragmentation of habitats resulting in a loss of natural and agricultural biodiversity;
4) create networks involving Universities and the world of research, in order to draw upon all their knowledge and experience in the management of fragile and beautiful areas;
5) work for the integration of territorial policies (nature, landscape, economic and social sustainability);
6) become an instrument and a place for preserving the historic and cultural heritage of our nation, whereby, in an original way, nature and culture interact in an inseparable set of values, which are the thousand expressions of local culture and traditions alive in the different local areas;
7) become an instrument for the continuing cultural growth and education of people, administrators, economic and cultural operators, in implementing the principles of responsible citizenship and "long life learning" , demanded and promoted at international levels;
8) monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the management of the Parks and assess the actions taken to honour their mission and the attainment of their institutional aims;
9) be a "window" for the people within their administrative regions, in order to establish a relationship between citizens and Institutions that is ever more transparent and effective;
10) consistently promote participative opportunities with the local communities ;
11) be actors in the process of transformation of the Italian administrative organisation, using the range of relevant European Union policies available, because Western experience has shown that Parks can be the best instrument at a local level for supervising and promoting the environmental values and urgent needs of the Nation;
12) contribute to creating new knowledge, competence and visions in young people, in order to create a class of future leaders who will be alert to the challenges ahead ;
13) "throw our heart beyond the obstacle", and never lose sight , in face of changing management experiences and political seasons, of the need for working for the future generations. Protected areas will have to be managed and maintained in perpetuity.

To Politics and to political representatives, at all levels, we ask:

1) to put an end to the current emergency, and to conclusively look at Parks as an enduring instrument of planning and management of the region, sensitive areas and irreplaceable resources;
2) to create certainty of financial, human and juridical resources capable of ensuring the attainment of committed aims;
3) to fully upgrade the autonomy of Local Authorities, but in the meantime to effectively enhance the policies of coordination and necessary intervention, by fully implementing systems policies.
4) to establish a national "task force" or a National Agency of Parks, with general experience at central, regional and local levels;
5) to simplify the administrative management within Parks, transferring to Park Authorities the responsibility of releasing environmental, landscape and cultural permits at all levels, whilst ensuring that town planning and building permits remain in the authority of local townships;
6) to enable full implementation of the art. 7 of the Law 394/91 , which establishes priorities in the financing of public and private projects in Park townships;
7) to simplify Park government, by actually giving Authorities the management of state-owned properties included within the boundaries of Natural Protected Areas;
8) to promote, in all Protected Natural Areas, the establishment of park rangers, under the direct management of the local Authorities, and who might work cooperatively with the National Forest Service Corps, and who may also work as "environment interpreters", in tasks of civic education and support to citizens;
9) to consider Parks as institutional, bipartisan laboratories, in which, as is right and proper in a normal and caring country, "natural jewels", the best management experiences and capable people are upgraded, independently from any partisan connotation;
10) to promote communication strategies in order to increase the national awareness of the role and importance of Protected Areas, as a range of local identities and national values that must be protected and preserved for the future generations.

Feltre, July 11, 2008.