Sacred Natural Sites in Technologically Developed Countries: Reflections from the Experience of the Delos Initiative

This chapter discusses the conservation of sacred natural sites in technologically developed countries, from the viewpoint of the Delos Initiative, an international initiative launched in 2004 by the Specialist Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas of the IUCN World Commission of Protected Areas. Case studies of the Delos Initiative include over 30 protected areas from all six IUCN management categories, found in Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. They relate to mainstream religions and several traditional spiritual traditions, folk or ethnic religions. These cases combine outstanding natural, cultural and spiritual values.