Uso público em unidades de conservação segundo os gestores integrantes da Rede de UCs do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Conservation units have an immense relevance in providing various services in the environment. Public use in conservation units is characterized as an intangible environmental service. Therefore, it is complex to measure it, as it involves activities such as recreation, environmental education, scientific research, which involve conservation and the relationship between society and nature. In addition, the management of these areas plays a fundamental role in implementing these programs, but there is a lack of data on the visitation of these spaces at the state, country and world levels. In this sense, in order to measure and characterize public use, the present study sought, through interviews with managers, information on 13 conservation units in categories of integral protection and sustainable use, which are part of the “Network of UCs” of Rio Grande from the South. The collections took place between September 2019 and May 2020, using thematic oral history as a methodology, with transcription of the interviews for data analysis. The results showed that all research UCs carry out different types of activities for public use, that the demand for these spaces is growing. In addition, the public that most visits these areas are students, and this brings the importance of these spaces to work on environmental education, being large open-air classrooms. The factors that motivate the performance of these activities come from the work teams, the volunteers and the positive response from the visitors. The main difficulty pointed out by the managers, to carry out the activities with quality and efficiency, combined with the objectives of the SNUC, is the lack of human resources. The “UC Network” stands out as an element for exchanging experience, proving to be effective in training and integrating management. Public use programs have significant impacts on local regions, but the lack of integration of the surrounding communities with the areas is evident. To enhance these activities, involving participatory and equitable management, it is recommended to expand and train work teams to promote the contact of people with nature, through environmental education and interpretation, recreation and ecological tourism.