Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park has seen an increase in visitor numbers linked to outdoor activities over the past several years. Hiking, mountain biking, trail running and other such pursuits draw large numbers of people to natural areas, particularly forests.
While these activities promote the area and enhance its appeal, they can also impact natural habitats and biodiversity in various ways. The Park is seeking to address issues such as litter, off-trail trampling, noise pollution, disturbance to wildlife and conflicts of use between different activities.
A new approach to raising visitor awareness
As part of the MONA project, the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park has introduced a series of interventions at several natural sites. To limit the impact of the installations on the natural environment, the Park opted for installation methods that do not require concrete.
The aim of these nudges is to raise awareness among all park visitors of a range of environmental issues.
Take your waste with you
There are several prompts to encourage visitors to dispose of their rubbish properly. The visuals are designed to appeal to visitors' empathy towards animals and show the consequences of leaving waste behind.
Signs addressing waste management have also been installed directly on picnic tables to deliver the message at the moment when the issue is most likely to arise.
Stay on the trails
Signs addressing off-trail activities remind visitors of the consequences of trampling on flora and fauna, as well as the risk of erosion. They rely in particular on an element of surprise and unusual visuals intended to catch visitors’ attention.
Protect wildlife from disturbance
These devices aim to remind visitors that noise can disturb animals and have an impact on biodiversity. Once again, the graphic design is intended to attract attention quickly and spark curiosity.
Respect natural habitats
Entitled 'Biodivers'entrée', this nudge is positioned at the entrance to the forest to welcome visitors at the start of their walk and to symbolically mark their entry into a natural environment.
Its purpose is to remind visitors that the forest is primarily a home to many species and that we are merely guests.
Share the trails
Devices installed at the intersections of hiking trails and mountain bike routes encourage better coexistence between users of the trails.
The aim is to remind visitors that these are shared spaces and that they should adapt their behaviour to ensure everyone can enjoy them.
An initial evaluation of the effectiveness of the nudges
This summer, the deployment of the nudges was accompanied by an initial evaluation of their effectiveness.
Throughout the summer, the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park conducted field surveys at various sites equipped with nudges. A total of 164 visitors were interviewed on site to gather their direct impressions of the different devices, including their visibility, the clarity of the messages, the extent to which they increased visitors' knowledge, and their initial reactions to the nudges.
The initial results are positive. Those interviewed described the nudges as eye-catching devices that make people stop and think, or as a good initiative. Visitors particularly appreciated the originality and uniqueness of some of the signs.
These reactions demonstrate that using graphic designs that differ from traditional signage can positively influence behaviour without the need for prohibition or coercion.
By using nudges, the Park is experimenting with an alternative way of raising visitor awareness to influence certain behaviours and limit its impact on the natural environment.