Current transboundary news

September 2011

Transboundary Protected Area Award 2011

 At the EUROPARC Conference 2011 two transboundary protected area complexes were awarded their transboundary parks certificate after five years successful work with the programme. Dr Arnold Boer member of the STEC (steering group of the transboundary evaulation committee) very kindly conducted the award certificate with them being given my new President Thomas Hansson.

Krkonoše National Park (CZ) and Karkonosze National Park (PL) were the first complex to be rewarded the Transboudary “Following Natures design” certificate this year, after a successful re-revaluation of their Transboundary co-operation.  Both parks share a common commitment to visitor management across their fragile central European mountain range, have shared planning and staff collaboration and exemplify the international cooperation upon which the EUROPAR Federation was founded. 

The award was received by Jakob Kasper, Deputy Director and head of External Relations at Krkonoše National Park, and  Przemyslew Toloknow,  Deputy Director from  Karkonosze National Park. On receiving the award Jakub said "We see, again and again, that cooperation with our partners and friends on the other side of the state border is one of the most important and vital activities we do, have done and have to do. I see the TransParcNet as one of the most important things we gain from the EUROPARC Federation as a platform for networking and information exchange”. He continued, “Both parks are proud to have renewed our Transboundary Parks Certificate. I warmly welcome all transboundary protected areas in Europe to join the network. It really works."

Additonally Oulanka National Park (FI) and Paanajärvi National Park (RU) were also re-evaluated. This transboundry complex high in the Artic where Europe meets  Russia , is a true wilderness area. However co-operation across the border ensures that wildlife migrations and shared biodiversity can be adequately monitored in a comprehensive and complementary way.  Sharing what is normally a “closed” political border truly demonstrates the mutual  understanding that permeates these Transboundary parks. Their certificate was picked up by Matti Tapaninen of Metsähallitus who thanked EUROPARC on the parks behalf.

July 2011

Transboundary parks meet for discussions in Krkonoše National Park (CZ)

It was with great pleasure that the EUROPARC Director, Carol Ritchie, had the opportunity to attend  the third TransParcNet meeting in the Krkonoše (Czech Republic) - Karkonosze (Poland) Mountains transboundary National Parks.

Despite the park names being a bit of a tongue twister, the scenery , mountain air, excellent accommodation and hospitality were appreciate by all the 35 representatives of transboundary protected areas from across Europe. Meeting in the historical Lu?ní bouda Chaet, at 1410m one of the highest and oldest huts in the region, gave us firsthand experience of the mountains , in every possible kind of weather imaginable in just two days!

The meeting was held under the auspices of Mr. Tomáš Chalupa, Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Lubomír Franc, President of Hradec Králové Region. The Hradec Králové Region also kindly supported the meeting financially for which EUROPARC are most grateful.

The host parks stressed that over their long collaboration the benefits that working together brought was more effective for both the parks than their individual efforts alone. A strong combined team spirit was evident between the Polish and Czech colleagues, led by two creative and respected Directors.

The topics covered in the meeting were focused on the development of better transboundary cooperation and in particular the work of sustainable tourism within a transboundary setting. The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas was also discussed, as this has a long track record of working in other protected areas across Europe.  It was recommended to the transboundary areas to consider this option when working towards a more sustainable tourism.  Staff training in this area was also considered. Furthermore a forward thinking plan of action was discussed to examine the potential for expanding the transboundary network. These outputs will be taken forward by the EUROPARC transboundary working group.

A field covered the top of the mountains – Mount Sn??ka as well as fantastic glacial cirques of Ma?y and Wielki Staw and helped the delegates see some of the tourism challenges of this special area up close.

Carol Ritchie reiterated the importance of the Transboundary Parks  - Following Nature’s design programme developed by EUROPARC. She stated that EUROPARC was looking forward to closer collaboration with the IUCN WCOA Transboundary Specialist Group in the future.

Thanks go to the team in the Krkonose National Park, ably assisted by their colleagues in the Karkonosze, for  such a well organised and stimulating meeting. Everyone returned to their own areas more knowledgeable and inspired.

A full report and pictures of the meeting are surrounding area is found on the website of the Krkonose National Park.

October 2010

New transboundary park case study broschure available

In cooperation with Sigrun Lange from ECO Germany and with financial contributions from the MAVA foundation and Triglav National Park (SL) EUROPARC has produced a great new brochure on the EUROPARC programme 'Following Natures Design - Transboundary Protected Areas. The brochure was released in Autumn 2010 and contains information on the importance of transboundary protected areas, describes the certification process and EUROPARC transboundary programme and contains case studies from protected areas certified as transboundary parks within the EUROPARC programme. The case studies show examples of best practice in transboundary park management across Europe.

The brochure can either be downloaded below or paper copies can be ordered from the EUROPARC Federation (please state how many copies you would like and to whom they should be sent).