EUROPARC & ENOS Webinar | Connecting People, Protected Areas and Outdoor Sports: Celebrating Success Stories and Joint Projects

Outdoor Sports and Protected Areas are natural allies – together they protect landscapes, engage communities, and inspire collective action for a more sustainable future.

This recent webinar, organised by the EUROPARC Federation in collaboration with the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS), shone a light on the powerful impact of cooperation between Protected Areas and the Outdoor Sports community. The event brought together participants from across Europe to explore ongoing initiatives and celebrate meaningful partnerships that make a difference on the ground.

At the heart of the session was the introduction of the first recipients of the EUROPARC and ENOS Joint Award. The British Mountaineering Council and the Peak District National Park were honoured for their outstanding peatland restoration efforts, delivered in partnership with Moors for the Future. Their presentation showcased the dedication of volunteers and the effectiveness of cross-sector partnerships in restoring fragile ecosystems. It stands as an inspiring model for future restoration and community involvement projects across Europe.

Jim Randle accepting the Award at the EUROPARC Conference Awards Ceremony 2025. Photo: Vaidas Garla

Participants also gained insight into the ongoing partnership between EUROPARC Federation and ENOS as well as their projects. From 10 Good Principles for Outdoor Sports to the CONNECT Project, which builds on the legacy of the SEE Project, continuing to strengthen ties between Outdoor Sports organisations and Protected Areas. Together, these projects promote mutual understanding, joint action, and shared responsibility for Europe’s natural spaces.

With engaging real-life examples, the webinar reaffirmed that when Outdoor Sports and Protected Areas work together, both thrive. The message is clear:

Collaboration is key to safeguarding our natural places while encouraging people to enjoy and value them responsibly.

Explore the webinar presentations:

EUROPARC Federation & ENOS cooperation

• Mike McClure | Landscapes Northern Ireland (NI) Development Manager

Restoring UK Peatlands: Get Stuck In!

• Steve Charles | Get Stuck In volunteer programme lead, British Mountaineering Council
• Jim Randle | Senior Conservation Works Officer with Moors for the Future Partnership

Projects in Focus: SEE & CONNECT

• Alberto Robles | Project Coordinator and Communications Manager at the European Network of Outdoor Sports

Interactive Map | Spotlight on Collaboration: Outdoor Sports & Protected Areas

Click on the location pointers to discover inspiring initiatives where Protected Areas and the Outdoor Sports sector are working together.

 

 

Webinar Speakers

Steve Charles is a retired eye surgeon who has had a passion for mountains and mountaineering all his life. Inspired by the British Mountaineering Council’s “Mend our Mountains” fundraising campaign, he started a volunteer initiative for BMC members in 2022 which arranges upland volunteer projects to repair footpaths and carry out conservation work in the Peak District, Eryri (Snowdonia) and the English Lake District: Get Stuck In!
By the end of 2025 fifty such events will have been held and there has been increased collaboration with agencies managing the UK’s hills and mountains, including National Parks, the National Trust, Utility companies and Moors for the Future. He passionately believes that all mountain users should be involved in looking after the mountains today, so that they can be enjoyed tomorrow.

Jim Randle is a Senior Conservation Works Officer with Moors for the Future Partnership. For the past three years Jim has led the delivery of peatland restoration projects across multiple sites, principally under the Nature for Climate programme. With an academic background in biodiversity and conservation, Jim has a broad range of experience across the sector, having worked for nature conservation NGOs, public sector organisations, and private companies for over 15 years. His work has included ecology, practical delivery, and project management in uplands, woodlands, and wetlands across the UK and internationally.

Mike McClure is the Landscapes Northern Ireland (NI) Development Manager. Landscapes NI is a collaborative landscape network in Northern Ireland, made up of 16 organisations that seeks to support the members for an integrated approach to landscape promotion and management.
Mike’s background was in Outdoor and environmental education and Outdoor Sports development having worked for over 35 years in the sector.
He remains passionate about our natural and cultural heritage and the importance of landscapes in connecting people to wildlife and their heritage.
Mike also has been involved with pan European developments in Outdoor Sport and recreation and his involvement in European Projects has provided him with a broad vision for what can be achieved through collaborative partnership working.
He is still active in the Outdoors and is a proponent of daily exercise in natural spaces as the only way to start the day!

Alberto Robles is Project Coordinator and Communications Manager at the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS). Based in Spain, he works on the implementation of European policies related to Sport, health, nature, and culture. As an Outdoor Sports enthusiast and professional, his focus has always been on minimising the impact of Outdoor activities on nature and improving opportunities for environmental education. With a background in environmental conservation and expertise in ocean governance, he has contributed to projects such as SEE and CONNECT, focusing on sustainable Outdoor activities in protected areas. His work also supports ENOS’s broader efforts in areas like social inclusion, health promotion, and Outdoor infrastructure across Europe.

Moderator

Sandra Grego holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and works as Project Manager at EUROPARC. She has contributed to a number of projects, including LIFE (LIFE ENABLE) and Erasmus+ (SEE project), and is currently engaged in the Horizon Europe project NaturaConnect. In her role, she supports the effective delivery of communication activities and contributes to the development of courses within EUROPARC’s European Nature Academy. She enjoys transforming ideas into creative outputs, particularly through visual storytelling with photography and videos. She takes great joy in seeing people come together to share knowledge, collaborate on solutions, and learn from one another’s experiences.

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