Contingency Strategies to Foster Resilience in National Parks During Crisis Events such as COVID-19

National Parks serve as sites of ecological conservation and a refuge for physical and mental well-being during times of crisis. However, COVID-19 caused several difficulties for national park managers, making it difficult for them to stay accessible. This study investigates the challenges that National Parks encounter during a crisis event such as COVID-19 and how to develop relevant contingency strategies for future disruptive events. Semi-structured interviews based on the resilience model of [Norris et al. (2008, Community resilience as a metaphor, theory, set of capacities, and strategy for disaster readiness. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41(1–2), 127–150)] were conducted with park managers at The Kruger National Park, South Africa, and the Peak District National Park, United Kingdom. Several stressors were identified regarding challenges faced in the parks due to the pandemic, such as uncertainty among staff and visitors and additional strain on resources such as time, funding, and available staff. This study underlines the importance of contingency planning in bolstering National Park resilience during global crises, offering practical insights for park management.