This is a great commemorative year for all who are connected with the EUROPARC Federation as we celebrate its 40th anniversary! When a group of inspired and inspiring people got together in 1973, to found a European Federation.
From a small office in Grafenau with one fulltime member of staff in 1986, the Federation reached out to bring eastern and western European nature conservationists together, even under the difficulties of the Iron Curtain. Today, “conservation without frontiers”, the key message at times of the foundation, has become reality with EUROPARC counting around 400 members in 35 European countries.
The great participation of our members in international projects and programmes like the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas or the EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programmeare incredible achievements and mirror the standing of the Federation. Whilst bringing together about 50 people at its very first meetings in the early years, EUROPARC has grown to be Europe´s largest umbrella organization of protected areas, connecting more than 600 people at last year´s annual conference.
We are looking forward to celebrate with you EUROPARC’s 40 year’s WORKING FOR NATURE whilst looking to ensuring a legacy for the future at EUROPARC 2013 conference in Hungary!
Our Anniversary Year
2013 will be an exciting and active year for EUROPARC. Therefore, we have created thematic monthly eNews which correspond to some of the most important international days and events. First and foremost, the European Day of Parks in May: My park. My passion. My story.! Check out the website for more information and promote this day through your network and to your visitors!
As we are closely working with Eurosite, the European Commission, the IUCN, RAMSAR and our international MoU partners, our eNews will focus on themes and interests wwe share with them. All our activities in 2013 will follow the anniversary theme “40 years Working for Nature” celebrating the work our members have achieved as a network organisation.
Over the next year we will examine topics in more detail such as Sustainable Tourism, Volunteering, Junior Rangers, climate protection. We will be contacting members and partners for their stories, ideas and thoughts on these topics throughout the year. We would really appreciate hearing from you!
