Comparative Study of National Parks in East Asia as Environmental Education Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to propose the characteristics of environmental education in national parks in East Asia by clarifying commonalities and differences in environmental education in the national parks of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. We compared these characteristics from the perspective of nature administration within the national parks and collaborative management with residents, which is a requirement of the parks in East Asia. First, we confirmed that national park administrations in the three countries are engaged in activities geared toward collaborative management that harmonizes environmental conservation and the local economies. Second, we examined the promotion of environmental education and confirmed that the roles of the national park administrations in the three countries differ in matters concerning environmental education. Third, we examined the structure of environmental education and confirmed that in all three countries, the residents of the national parks are essential stakeholders in the management of park areas for which environmental education had been developed. In summary, we found that although the roles of the national park administrations differ in the three countries, they share the common goal of promoting collaborative national park management and are developing a collaborative environmental education approach.