"I’m planting a tree to teach me to gather strength from my deepest roots." - Andrea Koehle Jones
In our heritage lies our past, present and future
This can both be the natural heritage we protect, but also the heritage of our own organisation. It encapsulates our identity. We have the responsibility and the joy to maintain this natural and cultural heritage for future generations, and discover how we can build upon it!
By cherishing our heritage we are strengthening our identity and connecting ourselves to the larger natural environment.
In 2023 we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of EUROPARC Federation. And we want to live it up to it by Building on Our Roots on the occasion of the European Day of Parks!
Do you want to join us? The more the merrier! Our Parks are for everyone to enjoy - so let's celebrate together!
Join the conversation! #EuropeanDayOfParks
Picture credit: Francesco Minonne, Parco Naturale Regionale Costa Otranto-S.Maria Di Leuca e Bosco die Tricase.
What can your Park do?!
EUROPARC asks all its members and the wider network to organise events and activities on and around the 24th of May. You are the key to the success of this year’s European Day of Parks! You can register them on our website.
We hope that 2023 you will succeed in mobilising your communities in get out into our Protected Areas and celebrate our 50th Anniversary with us! When organising events, please share pictures of your activities with us under communications@europarc.org!
Need some inspiration? Have a look at some of these activity ideas:
IDEAS FOR BUILDING ON OUR ROOTS
You want to build on our roots? Your keyword is "engage". Take the chance of this day to inspire your community and create a lasting legacy for nature!
- Organise an (inclusive) journey in your Park and together explore together common native species and how to protect them. Can they keep them in their garden? What do they need to be healthy?
- Create an event around sustainability actions, practising proper behaviour in nature including restoring it, that people can also integrate and replicate into their daily life.
- Engage visitors in an action to eradicate invasive species.
If your Park has Junior Ranger or Youth+ groups - be sure to get them involved as well! Youth are a "treasure chest" of ideas and questions that will help you during the planning phase!
Picture credit: Junior Ranger, Mechelse Heide © Rudi van Beek.
IDEAS FOR BUILDING ON OUR ROOTS
You want to build on our roots? The keyword is "engage". Take the chance of this day to inspire your community and create a lasting legacy for nature!
- Partner with local schools, public authorities or civic organisations and organise a tree-planting action! In doing so, you can join the European Commission's 3 Billion Trees Pledge.
- Create an exhibition with the history of your Protected Area and engage the visitors in activities to know its unique heritage first hand!
- Take visitors on an exclusive tour of a restored area in your Park to bring them up close with the work of Protected Areas.
- Organise bird-watching or marine species monitoring activities in your Protected Areas.
- Organise a clean-up action to collect trash in your Park or Protected Area.
You can deep dive into the depth of your imagination, this day is all about celebrating our Protected Areas. So set up your events and let us nature together!
Don't forget to share any pictures or videos of your events with EUROPARC, so we can use it to showcase the amazing work of our community! Send it to communications@europarc.org
Photo credit: David Knudsen on Unsplash.
Download the promotional materials
On the EUROPARC website, the official banner is available in different languages. Are you missing your language? No worries, just write an email to communications @ europarc.org with the translation, and we will get it to you.
Join the conversation!
Are you organising an event or activities? Then help us make some noise on social media: we'd love to hear from you! Use #EuropeanDayOfParks and be sure to tag us on Facebook & Twitter @EUROPARC or Instagram & LinkedIn @EUROPARC_Federation
We welcome you to share pictures or videos of your events, so we can showcase your work to the larger EUROPARC Network!
Send it to communications@europarc.org.
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. That's 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.