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 Federation was founded in Basel (CH) in 1973 and first EUROPARC headquarters and member of staff was opened in Grafenau (DE) in 1986. Today the international team is split across three countries: the headquarters moved to Regensburg (DE) in 2010, we have had an office in Brussels since 2007 and we also have a member of staff with Federparchi-EUROPARC Italy in Rom.

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 440 members in 36 countries, and is now recognised around the world as a professional organisation for European protected areas. Map of EUROPARC's members.