12 events for Protected Area professionals in 2019 (that you cannot miss!)

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The year of change, learning and coming together

Although 2019 is only just starting, it is already full of interesting workshops and networking events that will cover many burning topics and push you to change your mindset as well as broaden your horizons.

Whether you are interested in all the ways technology can help in conservation monitoring; communication, sustainable tourism, environmental laws, or working with the youth, there is something for everyone, and you won’t be disappointed. So get your calendar ready and start writing in the dates!

5 Training courses and workshops

Siggen seminar

Youth+ Jumpers just hanging around – a rare moment. Photo by Laura Peters

This year’s two-day seminar will focus on working with youth. It will explore the new programme created by EUROPARC the Youth + programme and how this can be a model for working with 18-25year olds, in your park.

You will also hear from other youth programmes to gain new perspectives and ideas that will help you build a programme in your area. You will be welcome to bring your own ideas for a collective “surgery” where everyone will come up with solutions for any potential problems and challenges you may have.

The seminar is FREE to EUROPARC members (includes meals and accommodation), you will only need to cover your travel costs to Siggen.

Course of communication in protected natural areas

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  • Registration period until February 8th
  • By: FUNGOBE – Fundacion Interuniversitaria Fernando Gonzáles Bernáldez para los espacios naturales
  • More information here

The course addresses the elements that are considered key to raise awareness and communication initiatives and actions in protected areas, with special emphasis on how this type of tool can contribute to the management of these places and how they can help the manager in his relationship with society as a whole. The general objective of the course is to advance in the theoretical and practical knowledge about the best ways to propose and develop initiatives and communication actions in the field of protected areas.

If you would like to apply, you have a bit more time, but keep in mind that Spanish will be required.

4th Natura 2000 Monitoring workshop

Natura 2000 Logo

Save the date for the 4th Natura 2000 Monitoring workshop! Since 2013, Eurosite has organised a series of workshops to facilitate information exchange on issues related to monitoring Natura 2000 habitats and species. From April 9th to 11th the workshop ‘New technologies for Natura 2000 monitoring’ will take place in Doñana, Spain. It will be hosted by Estación Biológica de Doñana.

The sessions will focus on three main subject areas:

  • the roles of satellite images in conservation monitoring
  • the roles of drone images in conservation monitoring
  • open source software packages that can increase the efficiency, accuracy and precision of our work

The summer school “European Parks Academy”

European Parks Academy, iucn, wcpa, europarc

European Parks Academy

The European Parks Academy (EPA) is a unique opportunity to learn more about emerging trends and new approaches in the management of protected areas. The EPA seminars focus on the practical implementation of international standards, policies and guidelines. The topics for 2019 are:

  • World Heritage & Sustainable Tourism
  • Ecological Monitoring & Innovative Technologies
  • Transboundary Protected Areas & Successful Management

Just like promised, 2019 is the year full of events that offer the opportunity for obtaining new knowledge, problem solving techniques and exchanging your experiences with others. Hopefully, this list will give you an insight into all of your favourite events and help you find just what you were looking for. Enjoy!

The International Master of Science Programme “Management of Conservation Areas”

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This comprehensive academic education is unique in Europe. It allows career growth in protected areas (nature parks, national parks, biosphere reserves, world heritage sites or European protected areas), in research and education as well as in NGOs or international organizations.
The next course start for the 2-year training is in October 2019 (application deadline: June 30, 2019).
It takes place at the FH Kärnten

6 unique opportunities to Network (and learn with each other)

The XI Charter Network Meeting

  • April 9th -11th
  • By: EUROPARC Federation

If you are interested in the social and cultural impacts of tourism, don’t forget to visit the XI Charter Network Meeting, hosted by the Tzoumerka, Acheloos Valley, Agrafa and Meteora National Park.

Find out the answers on questions emerging with visitor pressure increasing in many European Protected Areas:

  • How to manage visitor flows?
  • How to increase the social and economic benefits to local communities?

This time, Tzoumerka National Park is offering a special 2 day post-conference between the 12-14th April for those who would like to have the chance to visit Meteora.

The European Ranger Federation annual meeting (and Heritage Interpretation Workshop)

Muritz National Park Rangers

From Rangers for Rangers. Before the Annual Meeting 2019 in Switzerland, there will be a two-day workshop focused on heritage interpretation. The workshop will be held in English and take place in Uster, near Zurich-Switzerland.

All Rangers are invited to stay also longer for the National Meeting with Fieldtrips and guided Ranger tours in English and German. Program includes Campfires, music and much more, in Ranger style!

International meeting on mountain-oriented education in the Alps

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  •  May 14th -15th
  • By: Alparc. OurAlps International Network of mountain-oriented education in the Alps

Come discover the OurAlps international network and meet its stakeholders in Morbegno, Italy on the 14th and 15th of May 2019. Take this opportunity to help with development of their network. You’ll also learn about the Alpine School Model.

Agenda:

  • conference
  • workshops
  • a field visit

Interpret Europe Conference 2019: Engaging with diversity

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  • May 31st – June 3rd
  • By: Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation

This year, IE Conference brings you to Sarajevo – the place that celebrates diversity. Turkish mosques and orthodox churches, scents of countless booths, offering street food from various cultures, the busy hammering of craftsmen creating artwork in tiny workshops: all of this turn the old heart of the Bosnian capital into what has been called the ‘Jerusalem of Europe’. Delve deep into its diversity, discuss how diversity at natural and cultural heritage sites can be interpreted and share your experiences. Hashtag for the event: #iecon19

EUROPARC Conference 2019, Latvia

The EUROPARC Conference 2019 is the key event of the year for those working in Europe’s Protected Areas. In 2019, EUROPARC Conference will take place  from September 24th to 27th in Kemeri National Park, Latvia with the theme “Nature on your Mind: Understanding our Values”. Soon more information will be available.

2 dates to CELEBRATE!

The European Day of Parks

  • May 24th
  • By: EUROPARC Federation

The European Day of Parks is a commemorative day for Protected Areas across Europe that was launched in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation to celebrate Protected Areas throughout Europe. It celebrates the creation of the 1st National Parks in Europe – a set of nine parks created in Sweden in 1909. This year, we will celebrate our “Natural Treasures”. Call your community and organise events to celebrate the role of your park in protecting our treasures. Then don’t forget to register your events here!

EU Green Week 2019

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  • May 13th – 17th
  • By: European Commision

The next edition of EU Green Week (13-17 May 2019) will show you the importance of environmental laws as well as their proper implementation.

The questions brought to spotlight will be:

  • What does successful implementation look like?
  • Why do “implementation gaps” exist?
  • How can we move from knowing that stakeholders need to take ownership of these laws to actually making it happen?
  • How can the EU facilitate the process, making sure that citizens’ voices are heard?

EU Green Week 2019 will include events across Europe, with the official opening event on May 13th in one of the EU Member States and a high-level summit in Brussels from May 15th -17th.  The opening event will have a particular prominence, setting the tone for the Week’s debates. The closing of Green Week will take place at the end of the Brussels conference and will showcase the political conclusions from the Week.

Registration will open in March 2019. Hashtag for the event on Twitter: #EUGreenWeek

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