Let’s partner up! From resistance to collaboration: A strategy for regional development, or how to create partnerships between nature conservation and local companies – a success story. eco.mont (Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management)|eco.mont Vol. 13 No. 2 13 2|

In the years following the foundation of the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature Park (in 1996) and Gesäuse National Park (in 2002), both nature conservation organizations faced heavy resistance from the local population and actors in the local economy. Today things look different: the so-called Gesäuse Partners are building a strong network that brings the parties together. Our experiences can be used practically by the managers of protected areas