Action E7: Measures of cultural valorization of the species present in the two islands, for socio-economics and tourist purposes.

The success of the reintroduction’s projects is influenced by socio-economic and tourist aspects that are identified as indispensable element of a modern and multidisciplinary management approach. For this reason, the study and knowledge of the public attitude towards the species are very important. 

The success of the reintroduction’s projects is influenced by socio-economic and tourist aspects that are identified as indispensable element of a modern and multidisciplinary management approach. For this reason, the study and knowledge of the public attitude towards the species are very important.

These aspects are object of the Human Dimension’s research, considered as study of the levels of knowledge, expectations and the public attitude towards the wild fauna and its habitat.  In the specific case of the project of the Sardinian deer’s reintroduction,  the indisputable tourist vocation of the potential areas of reintroduction makes it necessary to enlarge the definition of  “consumers” of the park even to tourists.

The HD study will be carried out through the diffusion and collecting of anonymous interviews, filled by a representative sample and properly stratified among the different groups of interest. 

The survey’s themes are:

a) knowledge level and the public attitude towards the deer and its presence in Sardinia;

b) Public attitude towards the reintroduction’s project.

On the survey’s results strategies of communication will be based as well as all the measures to improve the public attitude towards the management choices, initially seen as negative.

The regional park of Corsica will implement a study related to the legal status of the subspecies Cervus elaphus corsicanus, trying to create a synergy and a common line of protection.
Furthermore, the common valorization plan applied in the two islands will allow to value the economic wealth deriving from the deer’s presence.  

In order to increase sustainable tourist vocation, 8 trails will be realized, equipped for both old and reduced mobility people.

Observations trunks will be realized along the trials with a function of scientific monitoring and also as an observation point to tourists. Inside these structures tourist can find maps, pictures, scientific and educational material that show the deer’s distribution in the Sardinian-Corse territory, its quality of life and habits. When possible the material used will be natural and recycled, certified according to the rules of sustainable forestry management.  These structures have the aim to facilitate the awareness, the environmental education and the naturalistic tourism.  The trunks will be used for university studies, populations’ analyses and the monitoring’s control through termo-cameras.

The trails will be called “Sentieri/Randonne dei cervi” and they will report boards with the LIFE logo.

They will be included in the highest quality regional trials network. They will be broadcast by the Co.R.E.M Project website (strategic projects, financed by  the Transnational Program Italy France “Marittime”).
The Sardinian Ente Foreste, partner of the Co.R.E.M project, will update the dedicated website, ensuring publicity a better use of European funds.