Information on past European Day of Parks

2009: "Youth - the future of our parks"

2009 was a landmark year for European national parks: On 24th May 1909 the first nine were founded in Sweden, Abisko, Ängso, Garphyttan, Gotska Sandön, Hamra, Pieljekaise, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet and Sanfjället, paving the way for the around 300 national parks that exist across Europe today. 

This year’s activities were organised around the theme "Youth - the future of our parks", which encouraged visitors to look to the next 100 years of these iconic places. Young people from all over Europe were involved in activities that celebrate and conserve Europe’s valuable natural and cultural heritage. Many parks also organised events based on the anniversary itself.

This year around 120 events were organized in in over 80 protected areas in 20 countries across Europe. Thousands of Europeans visited the exhibitions, guided tours, games, festivals and many more activities taking place in protected areas from Iceland to Romania

A calendar with events that our members are organised is available to download below.

2008: 'Nature - bridging borders'

In 2008 over 600 events were organised by protected areas, government authorities and non-governmental organisations in 20 European countries to mark the occasion on and around 24 May. The theme was 'Nature - bridging borders'.