PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE OF PROTECTED AREAS AND LOCAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. THE CASE OF THE NATIONAL PARK OF GRAN SASSO AND MONTI DELLA LAGA 
In the management of protected natural areas there often are gaps (or even clear contrasts) between environmental conservation and local development. Sometimes this gaps turns into environmental or territorial tensions and confl icts which originate from fl awed or poor communication between the “expert knowledge” held by technicians or administrators and the “profane knowledge” of those working and living within the protected area. In this context, the participatory process started in 2009 by the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga (PN-GSML) provides various elements of originality and critical refl ections over the topic of participation, as a method of territorial management centered on the democratization of the Park functioning. Drawn from the geographical concept of territoriality, it grew into a research in which participation represents a way of investigating; and, at the same time, it has functioned as a praxeological tool, i.e. as a communication platform and place for ethical discussions, able to catalyze political and social dynamics that are focused on giving back the ability of managing the territory to those who are daily engaged in its life and existence. 
Keywords: territoriality, environmental protection, public participation, environmental confl ict, environmental decisionmaking.