European Day of Parks

The European Day of Parks (EDoP) on the 24th of May, is a commemorative day for Protected Areas across Europe that was launched in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation to celebrate Protected Areas throughout Europe. It celebrates the creation of the 1st National Parks in Europe – a set of nine parks created in Sweden in 1909.

European Day of Parks 2024: Vote for Nature

Nature is important to us all.

The official EDoP 2024 banner!

It’s therefore essential, to raise our voices, concerns and take action to secure a healthy future for people and nature.

We can show our support and concerns for nature in many ways, by influencing decisions that are made. However, in 2024, European citizens get to vote on a new European Parliament. A significant event for the future of the European Union – and beyond.

So, whether you are voting in the European elections this year, or any upcoming national or regional elections, or if you just need to influence better decisions for your Park and Protected Area – it’s time to “Vote for Nature”!

In this year’s European Day of Parks, the EUROPARC Federation wants to highlight just how essential our Protected Areas are for the development and implementation of nature policies & their central role in ensuring a sustainable and resilient society for European citizens to live, work and enjoy. Let us all #VoteForNature and give some well deserved support to our natural heritage.

Europe’s Parks and Protected Areas bring policy decisions to life!

Protected Areas are builders of bridges. These places have the ability to connect international policy decisions and agreements with local communities. Furthermore, they are essential not just for the successful execution of these policies, but also help shape wide-spread acceptance amongst citizens.

However, the benefits Parks & Protected Areas bring go far beyond the execution of global, national or even regional nature policies. These places safeguard some of the most spectacular nature in Europe. Every day, they provide us with fresh water, clean air and places to unwind, whilst fostering sustainable regional development.

That is why, on and around the 24th of May, we invite you to organise events that showcase exactly that!

Register your event!

Need some inspiration?

As always, we’ve created extensive guidelines to help Parks and Protected Areas get started:

Get the guidelines here!

The official “Vote for Nature” banner is available in different formats and languages as well. You can download it here:

Download the banner in your language

Is your language not yet there? Do you require it in a different format? Then don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Write us an email with the correct translation and we will be happy to create it for you. You can also request the byline “Bring policy decisions to live”.

Lets make some noise…

Raise your voice on social media!

The European Day of Parks is all about getting people out into nature and promoting Europe’s Protected Areas. However, we cannot underestimate the power of social media. That is why this year we ask you to ‘make some noise’ on social media on the 24th of May. Put the “Vote for Nature” European Day of Parks logo on a picture of your Park and post on social media with #VoteForNature. Take the opportunity to highlight why your Park or Protected Area deserves all the (political) support it can get!

Be sure to tag the EUROPARC Federation on Facebook & X @EUROPARC; Instagram @EUROPARC_Federation; LinkedIn @EUROPARC Federation when you post!

A special social media pack with sample messages, as well as the stand-alone logo, will be shared one month before the European Day of Parks.

We look forward to seeing your events, posts and activities!

About the European Day of Parks

Imagine a day when all Parks and Protected Areas come together across Europe, celebrate their successes and declare the value and benefits of Europe’s Protected Areas to communities, decision-makers and the wider public. Well, it is EUROPARC’s European Day of Parks!

Every year, European Day of Parks takes place on and around 24th of May. It aims to bring people closer to nature and raise public awareness on the importance of the natural beauty preserved in Protected Areas and the importance of conservation and sustainable management of those places.

Check here to see the previous editions.

LIFE program

The European Day of Parks is made possible through funding of the LIFE Programme. Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the European Commission or of CINEA.