ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a general framework within the concept of ecosystem management for viewing human/environment relationships in Parks Canada. To date, people and their relationships between settings, activities, experiences, and benefits are given little attention in ecosystem research, planning, or management even though they are recognized as being important. The purpose of this proposed framework is to illustrate one view of human/environment relationships associated with national parks, a view that specifically highlights the need to consider the human component in ecosystem management. Processes include both ecological processes and those social-cultural processes that influence relationships among people and between people and places. The goal of the working group is to increase Parks Canada National Parks acquisition, management, integration, and application of scientific knowledge about human/environment relationships, resulting in improved ecosystem management and enhanced environmental citizenship. To determine our existing scientific knowledge base and activities related to understanding human/environment relationships.
