Our History

The EUROPARC Federation , known as the "Federation of Nature and National Parks of Europe". was founded in 1973. The aim of the organisation was then and still is to help protected areas fulfil their role as preservers of the natural beauty of Europe in all its variety for us to experience and enjoy, to encourage cooperation and exchange between their managers and staff, and to promote their aims and work across Europe.

The first EUROPARC headquarters with the very first member of staff was opened in Grafenau in 1986. Today the headquarters remain in Grafenau and we opened a new office in Brussels in 2007.

Many projects and programmes have been implemented since EUROPARC started. You will find more detailed information about our current activities under the section 'what we do'.

The Federation has certainly grown in size since it started in 1973, currently boasting approximately 500 members, and is now recognised around the world as a professional organisation for European protected areas.