Most European countries possess nature areas which were designated as such a long time ago. These often represent a traditional episode in nature policy. During the last decennia, however, nature policy is characterized by many trends. To mention but a few: new concepts such as ecological network and nature development have arisen and EU and global initiatives as well as local and regional policies have increasingly affected the course of nature policy processes. This does not necessarily imply that nature policy in traditionally designated areas is actually changing. Years of cooperation among organisations have for instance often resulted in firmly-rooted coalitions, interaction mechanisms and ideas regarding nature and nature policy.
In Nature policy between trends and traditions Mari e van der Zouwen analyses nature policy processes in three cases across the EU: the Yorkshire Dales in the UK, Do ana in Spain and the Veluwe in the Netherlands. She sheds light on how nature policy has changed and, at the same time, how traditional characteristics have continued to exist, and to same time, how traditional characteristics have continued to exist, and to what extent nature policy practices are sensitive to contemporary trends. This book provides insight in the content and organization of nature policy processes over time and is an interesting read for academics in policy and political sciences as well as for policy makers and other professionals in nature policy.
Mari e van der Zouwen worked as a PhD student at the Department of Political Sciences of the Environment at Radboud University Nijmegen. At present, she is assistant professor at the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group at Wageningen University.