Join us in celebrating young people connecting with nature in Protected Areas on the 15th of September 2026!
European Youth in Parks Day 2026: Parks after Dark!
Night time is often associated with the dark and scary, but what really happens after the sun goes down? While most of the world sleeps, an entirely new cycle of life comes alive.
Have you ever caught the rich scent of honeysuckle under the stars, or watched moths tracking that fragrance through the dark? Imagine using echolocation alongside bat colonies to hunt for a midnight feast, or feeling the quiet rush of air as a silent owl glides through the trees. Parks and Protected Areas are crucial places for this nocturnal world. Healthy nights mean healthy habitats, and countless organisms depend on darkness to survive.
Sometimes, the night implies loneliness—but look closer. Nature is hosting a vibrant party all around us. Just because humans can’t always see it or hear it, it doesn’t mean we are alone.
They say “if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together”. As young people, we are the living legacy of these lands. We aren’t racing for quick fixes; we are coming together to protect our environment for the long haul.
For this year’s European Youth in Parks Day, the EUROPARC Youth Council wants you to step into the dark with us! Whether we are exploring woodlands, tracking grasslands, or guarding coastal areas, the night reveals a special mystery you can never experience by day.
It’s your turn to step out of your comfort zone, unite with other young people, and protect the wild after dark. Together, we will go further than we ever could alone.
Report of Activities for 2026
Winning Photo
The winning photo was sent through by Parco naturale Alpi Marittime who did a BioBlitz with mox experts in a neighbouring nature reserve.
The European Youth in Parks Day is made possible through funding of the LIFE Programme. Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the European Commission or of CINEA.