ABSTRACT
In the Panama Canal Watershed, the formulation and implementation of national park management policies has yet to realize all of the conservation, recreation, and educational goals set for the parks. We identify two underlying conditions that contribute to this breakdown in the policy process. First, national park management policies are based on the traditional United States national park model rather than on a model tailored to the unique ecological and social context of the Canal Watershed. Second, the structure and dynamics of participating institutions do not support effective decision making processes. This paper utilizes the policy science framework to provide a detailed analysis of these obstacles to effective park management and gives recommendations for improving the objectives for, decision processes concerning, and participant cooperation in national parks in the Canal Watershed. We recommend that participants initiate a prototype management program in one of the national parks in the Watershed that is easily adaptable and can be used as a demonstration site for other national park managers and participants. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1 -800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworthpressinc.com <Website: https://www.haworthpressinc.com>]
