From Visitor Impacts to Management Solutions: Rangers’ Field Insights from Triglav National Park

The lecture on Triglav National Park highlighted the challenges posed by the rapidly increasing number of visitors in Alpine environments and their impacts on nature. Park rangers shared their field experiences, illustrating how growing visitor pressure affects wildlife, sensitive habitats, and quiet areas. They also pointed out frequent rule violations, off-trail activities, and the growing influence of social media, which often directs visitors toward some of the park’s most vulnerable locations. Special attention was given to the international project LiveAlpsNature, which connects nature conservation, human well-being, and sustainable land use through the “One Health” approach. The presentation also included results of a questionnaire among park rangers, revealing which activities cause the greatest disturbances in nature and how familiar visitors are with park regulations. The lecture emphasized that rangers’ field experience represents an invaluable source of knowledge for visitor management. Their observations support the planning of conservation measures, the establishment of quiet zones, and more effective communication with visitors — with a clear goal: maintaining a balance between experiencing nature and protecting it.