Interpret Europe Conference 2012
Caring for nature and culture:
interpretation as a management tool
Saturday 19 to Tuesday 22 May 2012 in
Pisa and Parco Naturale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, Italy
- Tuscany's marvellous blend of nature and culture
Tuscany has some of Europe’s finest landscapes, a wonderful heritage of cities, towns and villages, and a rich artistic legacy. Our 2012 conference will be held in Pisa and the Migliarino San Rossore Regional Park, right in the heart of the Tuscan countryside.
Tuscan landscapes offer a stunning diversity, from the Mediterranean coast to rocky mountain summits. There are places of outstanding beauty and harmony, shaped both by nature and man. But there are also places where this harmony is threatened, or has been lost already.
Situated between Pisa and the sea, Parco Naturale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli offers a wide range of opportunities to experience and understand the changing relationships between water and land. In ancient Roman times, much of what is now dry land belonged to the sea. Today, visitors can explore the extensive dune systems and stretches of natural woodland which are home to a fascinating variety of rare plants and animals. Along this coast are many historic sites, each with their story to tell. This is a place that over the centuries attracted Italian kings and princes to spend their holidays in what is generally referred to as San Rossore.
Call for contributions
The 2012 conference theme will consider how interpretation can be used as a management tool to help care for nature and culture. Interpretation can raise awareness of the value of treasured landscapes and places, and it can help to change the behaviours of communities and visitors. It can also empower people to get involved and take practical action to protect our environment.
Do you have skills or experiences in using interpretation as part of the management of places that you would like to share with others?
Besides the conference's main theme, other contributions that cover interesting developments, new approaches, research findings or reports about what is going on in the field of interpretation in your country are also encouraged.
There are opportunities at the conference to give short presentations or to lead workshops where we can all benefit from your experience. Don't hesitate to propose a contribution - at the latest by 15 February 2012. Submissions after this deadline may be considered for a waiting list.