Characteristics and Effects of Collaborative Management in Quasi-National Park Management

This study aims to clarify the Characteristics and Effects of Collaborative Management in Quasi-National Park Management by examining nationwide trends in management systems and analyzing the practices of councils that have formulated Management Plans. Many Quasi-National Parks are managed by a limited number of staff, often in concurrent posts, and supplemented by park rangers. However, such staffing was generally considered insufficient, indicating the need for specialized personnel. Wide-area collaboration across prefectural borders remained limited, even in parks spanning multiple prefectures. Although many parks recognized the necessity of a Management Plan, only a few formulated one due to budget and staffing shortages.In contrast, parks with councils demonstrated more advanced initiatives and wider collaboration. All councils involved local organizations, underscoring their significance in building regional partnerships. Councils focusing on specific resources engaged diverse stakeholders, including local industries and tourism, and shared common visions through Management Plans. Where plans were adopted, financial and organizational challenges were mitigated, and collaboration with non-governmental actors was enhanced.These findings suggest that while challenges remain in personnel, budgets, and inter-prefectural coordination, councils and Management Plans serve as effective frameworks for promoting collaborative management in Quasi-National Parks.