Cultural values of nature: untying knots and creating bonds in the implementation of conservation policies

Abstract

In many social groups, nature is not only associated with utilitarian and economic aspects, but also with features of their history, memory and identity. These are knowledge and practices that form material and immaterial cultural connections that are still poorly understood and accounted for in conservation strategies. In recent decades, this issue has gained visibility in global debates, inspiring the perspective of an alliance with society as a prerequisite for promoting nature conservation, valuing the positive aspects of this interaction. In Brazil, these issues still lead to conflicts between government efforts to protect nature and the needs and rights of local populations. The ideology of a dehumanized nature, disenchanted by its symbolic meaning, contributes to the invisibility of identity and cultural ties with natural areas. Therefore, the objective of this article is to connect Brazilian conservation policies to the global debate on cultural values of nature and to present a concept proposal and description of categories adapted to the national reality. This analysis was based on a bibliographic, documentary and normative review that support the theme, as well as debates resulting from courses and events promoted in Brazil, between 2019 and early 2023. Considering the socio-environmental complexity and richness of the country and the sectorization of its public policies, some challenges for the integration of these values into strategies for conservation are highlighted. These included training public managers to work on this topic; promote surveys in areas of interest for conservation; and adapt international guidelines to different contexts, based on interdisciplinary and intersectoral initiatives that promote the exchange of knowledge. The integration of this subject into the public administration can help to untie knots and create ties with different social groups in favor of nature’s conservation, strengthening the role of local communities in this process.