EUROPARC Podcast: Voices from the Parks brings inspiring stories from across the network when you’re on the go. In this episode: Ainya Taylor and Carolina Chinese talk about the importance of involving young people in Protected Areas.

Who is speaking?

Ainya Taylor

Carolina Chinese

Ainya Taylor is 25 and lives in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. She works in Community Justice Policy and is involved in the Cairngorm Youth Action Team (CYAT) in her spare time.

Carolina Chinese is an 18-years-old student from the North-East of Italy. She is a member of the Youth Advisory Board Man And Biosphere UNESCO Reserve “Italian Julian Alps”. With other youngsters, she works hard to involve peers and create activities and events that can improve the sense of belonging of young people to the Julian Alps valleys and mountains.

What are we talking about?

Both Ainya and Carolina are active in their Protected Areas through youth groups. These groups were created specifically to give young people a voice in these areas. They provide an opportunity for young people to speak up, advice and organise events that will keep these Parks attractive for other young people. As such, they are great examples of the EUROPARC Youth Manifesto put to work.

Cairngorms National Park and the Italian Julian Alps are both facing problems due to a lack of young people that want to stay and live in these areas. Ainya and Carolina and their peers are trying to change just that, by creating exciting opportunities for young people within the Protected Areas.

It’s important that National Areas look at how to appeal to young people, because there are so many things in these areas that don’t exist in other places.

Says Ainya. According to her, it’s time Protected Areas start flipping the narrative, and promote all the things that make these rural places so special.

We also touched upon bigger societal topics like Climate Change and we hear form Carolina how the Youth Advisory Board is spreading regional awareness on the topic.

In other words, loads of inspiration to be found in our new episode! You can listen to it here, or find our podcasts on Anchor.fm channel and all major podcast platforms!

The Hotel and Restaurant Kullagårdens Wärdshus, in Mölle, was the first company in Sweden to become a certified sustainable partner of Kullaberg on February the 12th, 2021, through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism by the EUROPARC Federation.

EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism

National parks, nature reserves and other Protected Areas are often the main attractions for visitors in regions with magnificent nature. Through various programs and certifications, EUROPARC seeks to encourage and support the efforts made by nature reserves to become sustainable tourism destinations and to cooperate with companies and tour operators in the definition of sustainable tourism. The purpose is for all parties to work sustainably in a long-term perspective and to support the protection of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

EUROPARC has certified 160 protected areas in 20 countries across Europe. Most are located in southern Europe where mass tourism has become a fact. Kullaberg Nature Reserve was the first protected area in Sweden that in 2017 received the certification as a sustainable tourism destination.

During the Corona Pandemic, we see a large increase in demand from domestic tourism, which is very centered during the summer, which means that we must ensure that animals, nature and cultural finds in the landscape are protected during the high season and that the nature experience is maintained despite increased pressure on nature,

says Elena Bazhenova responsible for the certification of companies within EUROPARC’s work at Kullaberg Nature Reserve at the County Administrative Board of Scania.

Anna Nilsson, business manager in Höganäs municipality, Peter and Malin Sandström from Kullagårdens Wärdshus and Jimena Castillo, coordinator for EUROPARC at the County Administrative Board. Photo: Josefine Marklund

Kullagårdens Wärdshus

The certification of Kullagårdens Wärdshus is based on those who operate hotel and restaurant facilities investing in sustainability work in a long-term concrete activity plan. Malin and Petter Sandström, who have run Kullagårdens Wärdshus since 2019, together with their staff, have created well-specified and measurable goals in both environmental, social, and economic sustainability for the next three years. The overall goal is to contribute to protecting the rich flora and fauna of Kullaberg through close cooperation with the County Administrative Board and increase accessibility for visiting guests all year round to get a more even distribution of the increasing domestic demand that has occurred after the Corona pandemic.

“We are both happy and proud of this fine award, as sustainability is the foundation of our work and the most important of our seven values,” says Malin.

To be part of and contribute to a sustainable environment is essential for us who are in the middle of one of Sweden’s most beautiful nature reserves.

EUROPARC is happy to welcome Kullagårdens Wärdshus into the Charter Network and hopes more business will follow in their footsteps!

To know more about EUROPARC’s Charter and Sustainable Tourism Programs and Projects:

The Star Awards are EUROPARC’s Sustainable Tourism Partner Awards directed at the private enterprises following the principles of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.

EUROPARC Sustainable Tourism Partners’ Award

Sustainable Destinations depend on businesses, communities, and municipalities that are all working for a common purpose.

That is why, with the biannual STAR Awards, EUROPARC seeks to celebrate, champion and acknowledge the effort and investments made by tourism businesses to be more sustainable and help to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

The STAR Awards are your chance to really put the sustainability of your business on the map!

You can get inspired by the previous winners of STAR Awards here.

In 2021 we sadly had to postpone the STAR Awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are happy to open them again this year.

Applications that we received last year are still valid and will be considered!

What are the categories?

Business can apply in 4 categories:

• Contribution to Conservation
• Reducing impact on the Environment
• Building my Community
• Communication the values of my Park and my Business

All categories will include some questions regarding “Contribution to Conservation“, as it is a fundamental principle of the Charter for Sustainable Tourism. You are invited to apply in as many categories as you like. To apply, please use THIS ONLINE FORM in either French, Italian, Spanish or English. The application will close on the 1st of April 2022.

You can get all the information on the STAR Awards and the application process in our guidelines:

English_Guidelines for candidates

Espanol_Instrucciones para los candidatos

Francais_Directives destinees aux candidats

Italiano_Linee guida per i candidati

Every year, the EUROPARC journal ‘Protected Areas In-Sight’ brings you the highlights of our annual Conference. It includes best practice on a wide range of topics, relevant for all nature and Protected Area professionals. You can now read the 13th edition online!

Parks in the Spotlight. Powered by People; Inspired by Nature…

… was the theme of our Conference in 2021. From different European policies, to the big increase in visitors during COVID-19, Protected Areas are gaining attention everywhere. In our Protected Areas In-Sight this year, we look at different ways Parks can deal with this spotlight they are under.

As our planet currently faces multiple challenges, we need to remember that Parks and Protected Areas hold the key to finding natural solutions. In this context, strong capacity building for nature professionals, involvement of multiple stakeholders, and adaption to climate change are key.

Says our Executive Director, Carol Ritchie.

In this issue, you can find different readings and food for thought on Rewilding in Europe, COP26, capacity building and the role of Periurban parks for a green and healthy Europe. It also features best practice examples on climate change adaptation, youth involvement and visitor management. Additionally, we had a closer look at the relation between health and nature and the importance of partnerships for nature.

Additionally, as a tribute to the 20 years anniversary of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, the journal includes a section with viewpoints from those who were part of the beginning of this pioneering project.

Contributions have come from Rewilding Europe, the European Network for Outdoor Sports, EUROPARC Council Members, Fungobe and many more. We thank all that have contributed to this edition of our journal.

Available in 3 languages

The Protected Areas In-Sight is annually produced by EUROPARC in English, French and German. You can download the version you need below. Our members will receive a paper copy in the upcoming weeks.

Click to download the latest edition of our Protected Areas In-Sight

Download the English version

Download the French version

Download the German version

For all the previous editions, visit our library here.