Artistic, interactive and engaging info signs within the biosphere

Problem:

Problematic and non-engaging signs because they are not being respected by the population, e.g. barbecues or cigarette buds are a common cause of wildfires and free roaming dogs often disturb the ground-nesting birds populating these areas. 

Solution:

Alerting the population of the impact of their behaviour in these protected zones is mandatory for raising long-lasting awareness and action-based behaviour. For the signs to raise awareness, they should therefore focus less on pointing out the prohibitions (although they should still be mentioned), whereas they should focus more on the “why” with the help of explanations on how anthropogenic behaviour could harm the protected areas. To achieve this, the signs should be designed in easy language combined with pictograms, pictures or graphic designs while at the same time having an interactive character, i.e. a QR-code that invites hikers to log in rare fauna and flora that they encountered. The idea behind this is for by-passers to increase the information-bank linked to these signs, making them richer and more complete over time. The signs would then have the effect of a. information given to the population, b. diversified and completed by the population and c. for the population.

Outlook:

While keeping in mind the need for creativity concerning the behavioural signs, the participants suggested to organize a graphic-designer-contest during which the aim and framework of the desired signs are clearly stated. The contest should help to gather a diverse range of perspectives and ideas for the signs. With cooperation of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF) and natur&ëmwelt, the explanatory texts could be recited and with the help of an IT-specialist, a platform/website could be created with the aim of sharing the information about the protected areas and allowing interaction between the signs, the by-passers and new information.