The purpose of the guidelines is to broaden the scope of protected area governance and management to take into account the cultural, spiritual, aesthetic, historic, and social significance that natural features and natural landscapes have for people of diverse societies and cultures, both traditional and modern.

"By building on work that has been done by the IUCN Specialist Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas (CSVPA) and its affiliates, the Sacred Natural Sites Initiative and the Delos Initiative, drafting the guidelines was done as inclusively as possible, bringing together protected area managers, representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, mainstream religions, and environmental organizations", said Andrea Strauss of the INA.

BfN and additional partners supported this process during two workshops held on the Isle of Vilm in 2016 and 2017 and in the following years, until it's present conclusion. The publication provides recommendations and practical examples on how the human-nature relationship in protected areas can be reflected and shaped more strongly. The cultural and spiritual significance of nature and protected areas provides a strong motivation for preservation of nature. Focusing more on this relationship can not only increase the acceptance of protected areas, but also lead to changing values in the long term.