The EUROPARC council recently met at our member area in France, Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims, generously hosted by the president of the EUROPARC French section and council member, Dominique Lévêque along with Olaf Holm, director of the park, with the support of many of the local hoteliers and champagne producers of the region.
It was a most instructive and informative experience, discovering the range of conservation, capacity building, interpretation and sustainable development activities undertaken through the park. A visit to the 1stWorld war cemeteries marking the front line of the battles was a very poignant reminder that parks are often not just for nature and people, but have a strong responsibility as repositories of community, in this case – European memory. We were able to highlight that “Parks are for nature, for well-being and for peace” in messages for the European Day of Parks (May 24th). The strong link between the park and its communities was evident, and is also part of their support of the recent bid for UNESCO world heritage (cultural) recognition. EUROPARC supported their initiative and wished them well in their application.
The council at its meeting were delighted to welcome a new section into the family, EUROPARC Low Countries, composed of Belgium and Dutch members, was formally approved by the Council. The council further agreed to send a representative to the World Parks Council in Sydney Australia and to coordinate members and other partner organisations, who are also attending, in order to maximise the European message.
However, the main business of this council meeting was to examine the feedback YOU, the members, provided following the recent consultation, “Our Future Dialogues”. The results can be found in several formats, on the right section of the EUROPARC website.
Council and section representatives together, discussed at length the results and begun to prioritise the actions, in preparation of the new strategy for EUROPARC. This document will help us chart the way forward for our organisation so that it can best support the work you do to conserve our shared natural and cultural heritage.
A drafting group has been convened to pull all the feedback material together and prepare a first draft strategy. This will be available for a short and intense consultation through JULY, to be redrafted as required and ready for the General Assembly in September. We very much welcome and need your feedback. So please watch out for this important document arriving in your inbox in July!
*** In the meantime, we hope you will celebrate the European Day of Parks with your colleagues across Europe, please register your events with the EUROPARC office. Please also think about entering the competition, send us your artwork, so that we can highlight and feature your excellent work! 2015 js_composer revslider smile_fonts wpallimport The last few places remain available at the Siggen Seminar which is FREE for members – European funding for Protected areas: Successful projects for effective Management . The two – day seminar will focus on the new EU programming period 2014-2020 and EU relevant funding for the management of protected areas. For registration and more information, please contact Dea Mijakovac at: d.mijakovac@europarc.org . *** We do look forward to seeing you at the EUROPARC conference in Killarney, Ireland from Sept 28th -1st October. REGISTRATION is now open and all details as on the EUROPARC website. BOOK EARLY to get the special EARLY BIRD RATE for MEMBERS!
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Lastly, there are elections for the positions of council and president of EUROPARC this year. This will take place during the General assembly on 29th September in Killarney, Ireland.
Nominations are now open! Both the nominator and candidates must be EUROPARC members. If you wish to nominate someone, for any position, please fill in the nomination form (having first got the permission of the candidate of course). You can download your nomination form and guidelines on the EUROPARC page. Nominations close on 21st of July 2014.
For any queries, more information and submitting the nomination form please do get in contact with as at: elections@europarc.org
On behalf of the EUROPARC council, we thank you for your continued support and wish you many good networking opportunities over the summer.
As ever if EUROPARC can assist, you in any way please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours,
Thomas Hansson
President
