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.
Trello BoardWant to know more about European Youth in Parks Day? Webpage
Here is a quick overview on how you can get involved!
1. Youth Advocacy:
Block the 15th of September in your park’s social media calendar and make some noise about the great opportunities you currently have for children and youth in your park. Consider sharing some stories about young people volunteering in the park or interviewing some young apprentices or volunteers!
- Post on the 15th September
- Tag us using the handle @europarc.youth (available on Instagram and Facebook)
- Use the hashtag #StrongerWithYouth and #YouthInParksDay
Potentially also link to the theme, by talking about the impact of light pollution on young people, such as the lack of access to dark skies or the shifting baseline syndrome when it comes to knowledge and access to clear skies.
2. Youth Activation:
Plan an event the weekend before or after for young people to volunteer in nature restoration activities and be sure to promote it through local media outlets. Some fun ideas include camping, astronomy workshop, moth trapping, or night time soundscape activities.
- Register it with us and put it on the map
- Tag us using the handle @europarc.youth (available on Instagram and Facebook)
- Use the hashtag #StrongerWithYouth and #YouthInParksDay
- Email us your best photo for the photo competition (see more at the bottom of the page)
Register Here!
3. Youth Leadership:
If you already have an active local youth group like (but not limited to) Junior Rangers and Youth+, then invite them to take over the planning for an event that fits their needs!
- Register it with us and put it on the map (coming soon)
- Tag us using the handle @europarc.youth (available on Instagram and Facebook)
- Use the hashtag #StrongerWithYouth and #YouthInParksDay
Register Here!
For the photo competition, email us at youth (dot) europarc :at: europarc (dot) org with the following disclaimer:
“Without expectation of compensation or other remuneration, now or in the future, I hereby give my consent to EUROPARC Federation to use the photo(s) I have submitted in their communication on online platforms and print media. I guarantee that I have permission to take photos of the individuals featured even if they are minors as well as share them with the EUROPARC Federation. This consent is given for all uses in the future and does not require approval by me for each use.”
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.