Population typology to better target environmental education: a case from Algeria

Faced with limited impact and growing pressures, conservation organizations are applying new approaches incorporating the local populations in the conservation processes. The lack of social, cultural and economic information concerning the population has limited the implication of the local population and the impact in many projects. Raising awareness begins with understanding the target population, such as identifying their current views on a particular issue and knowing how they receive their information. This case study defined the different existing population types using socio-economic criteria in four major wetlands in El Kala, Algeria. This typology provided useful targeting information to improve the impact of environmental education and awareness raising in El Kala and could serve as a reference for other protected areas in the Mediterranean basin.