Natural Heritage: At the Interface of Nature and Culture

It has become more and more accepted that nature conservation is not possible without taking into account human activities. Thus an integrated approach to both the natural and cultural heritage is being encouraged and developed. Gathering a number of distinguished authors with diverse backgrounds (from a religious leader to academics to conservation scientists), the book aims to investigate the relationship between human beings and nature, between nature and culture.

Looking at nature as ?heritage? of the human race is a recognition both of the tremendous impacts (both positive and negative) that human activities have had on the natural environment, as well as the acceptance of human responsibility for managing our planet in a sustainable and sensitive manner.

The texts included examine this interface between human beings and nature in specific places (from the Everglades in Florida and Mont Saint Micelle in Atlantic France, to the UK, Europe and the Mediterranean), as well as on a theoretical basis, and in the context of the international biodiversity conventions.

Peter Howard founded the International Journal of Heritage Studies and edited it for 12 volumes. He taught landscape and heritage issues at Exeter University, and is now Visiting Professor of Cultural Landscape, Bournemouth University, and International Officer, Landscape Research Group. He is author of Heritage: Management, Interpretation, Identity.

Thymio Papayannis, an architect and planner, contributed to the eatablishment of WWF Greece, the Society for the Protection of Prespa and the MedWet Initiative. He recently founded Med-INA (Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos) and is its director. He has written numerous articles and five books on environmental and planning issues.