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EUROPARC Federation currently represents some 400 members. These include protected areas, governmental departments, NGO's and businesses in 35 countries, who themselves manage the green jewels of Europe's land, sea, mountains, forests, rivers and cultural heritage. Nature knows no boundaries and we therefore facilitate international co-operation in all aspects of protected area management to further and improve and conserve our shared natural inheritance. We endeavour to exchange expertise, experience and best practise as well as to collaborate with others to ensure the value and meaning of protected areas is at the heart of Europe.

If you want to find out more about who we are or what we do please follow these links or use the menu at the top of the page to navigate through the EUROPARC network and its work. Within the site you will also find interesting information about whats on and new within the Federation and Brussels and downloadable copies of some of our publications in our library.

Follow this link for address of the Regensburg office, the Brussels office and staff contact details.

Latest News

My park. My passion. My story.

What a campaign! On May 24th, protected areas across the European continent are celebrating the European Day of Parks, thta means their daily work for conservation, education, protection, fauna and flora, and sustainable tourism that allows people to go out and enjoy nature at its best in parks.

Back in 1999, EUROPARC members got together and created this day to celebrate their achievements, network and to raise awarness in the public about the importance of protected areas for biodiversity and leisure time. Since then, more and more areas are joining the annual campaign day.

This year, a wide variety of events and activities is organized around the theme "My park. My passion. My story". Individuals and groups are invited to get creative: the theme calls for any artwork, be it a song, a poem, a text, dance, sculpture, photo or film... and from all international entries, a winner will be chosen.

"Everybody has his or her own way to experience nature. And to feel passion for the birds, mammals, aquatic fauna, the flowers, trees, woods, beaches, rivers and lakes. This year, the theme of the European Day of Parks calls for this experience, creativity and emotions: Join in and send your ideas to parkpassion@europarc.org" invites Thomas Hansson, EUROPARC´s president.

Agencies managing protected areas are planning and promoting their special events and invite their staff and visitors to contribute to the festivals. For an overview of the activities per country, click here.

EUROPARC with its more than 400 members aims to achieve international recognition of the European Day of Parks. "We know that it´s the people who live in and around protected areas, and those you come as visitors and tourists to enjoy them, who are essential for future" says Paulo Castro, EUROPARC´s sustainable tourism expert.

The 2013 theme of the European Day of Parks 2013 presents a great chance for protected areas to join the campaign under one voice coordinated by the EUROPARC Federation. A special invitation goes to Natura 2000 sites. EUROPARC hopes to mobilize all protected areas in Europe to join.

HAPPY EUROPEAN DAY OF PARKS!