“Knowledge is power” and is contained in more than 2000 publications at the newly opened EUROPARC library hosted at the University of Klagenfurt, Austria. The EUROPARC library gives students access to in-depth information and “empowers” them to change the way protected areas in Europe are managed.
The opening of the library is the result of a long-term cooperation between the Master-of-Science programme “Protected Area Management” of Klagenfurt University and the EUROPARC Federation. Collected for over 20 years, the new EUROPARC library presents one of the biggest collections of materials covering all aspects of protected areas management and is available for researchers, students and anyone with an interest in discovering how nature conservation and sustainable development is managed. Even in this electronic era, the primary sources are still needed!
EUROPARC Federation President Thomas Hansson and Director Carol Ritchie proudly opened the EUROPARC library together with Professor Dr. H.-J. Bodenhöfer and Michael Jungmeier, the directors of the MsC programme.
Thomas Hansson, president of EUROPARC Federation, whilst cutting the ribbon to the new library stated that “EUROPARC Federation is keen to support the programme and we see this as an investment in the future of protected areas management in Europe”. Michael Jungmeier, the Programme Director, confirms “We are delighted to host this valuable resource that is available to our programme now and to give this important European library a new lease of life”.
A library is “books in cold storage” as the British elder statesman Herbert Samuels once said. The thoughts of all those who contributed to the protection and management of Europe’s natural heritage won’t be in cold storage for long, however. International participants will use this unique resource to innovate and further the ways how to best look after nature in the future.
The MPS programme was launched by the University of Klagenfurt in 2005. It is an outstanding educational offer addressing the planning and a managing of protected areas. The programme is performed in a network of international cooperation. Participants are young professionals from countries around the world. For more information about the Master program at Klagenfurt University, visitwww.mpa.uni-klu.ac.at
EUROPARC Federation is the European umbrella organisation connecting more than 430 protected area organizations in 36 countries. EUROPARC’s mission is to be the leading European organisation for protected areas bringing together dedicated professionals, government agencies, decision makers and supporters to increase effectiveness in conserving and enhancing natural and cultural heritage on land and sea for the well-being and benefit of current and future generations.
