Since 2022, through the NaturaConnect project, EUROPARC has worked hand in hand with scientists, policy experts and NGOs across Europe to produce novel scientific analysis, and related communication and capacity building materials needed to enhance our existing Protected Area network in Europe.

As part of the Horizon Europe NaturaConnect project, 22 partner organisations developed scientific guidance and tools for establishing a comprehensive, adequate, resilient and effective Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N), one of the key ambitions of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The TEN-N complements and expands the current Protected Area network towards 30% of the EU’s land and seas by 2030, closing gaps for under-protected habitats and species, boosting connectivity and resilience, and expanding strict protection. NaturaConnect’s outputs also support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, moving beyond area targets towards ecological representation, resilience and connectivity.

Using high-resolution (1 km²) spatial prioritisation, the project mapped current and future distributions of 1,406 terrestrial species, 214 habitats of conservation concern, key areas for ecosystem services, and climate-resilient areas and ecological corridors, identifying where conservation and restoration can best support European and global biodiversity targets.

Image: Source: O’Conner et al. 2026. 

The illustrated map shows consensus priority areas, meaning those which were consistently selected across scenarios considering ecological, structural and socio-economic indicators. The map created by O’Conner et al. represents a blueprint for TEN-N, showing:

• Priorities for 30% Protected Areas (red, covering 5% of Europe’s land)
• Priorities for 10% strict protection (blue, covering 6% of Europe’s land)
• Priorities for 20% restoration (purple, covering 20% of Europe’s land)
• Critical ecological corridors (green)

Check out the “Scientific Guidance on planning and implementation of a Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N)” to read the summary of all research components and the key findings from the project.

Over the years, the project produced over 20 scientific reports and policy papers, generated key data, involved hundreds of stakeholders in scientific and communication activities, and disseminated its results through key policy forums such as the CBD, IPBES and the EU Biogeographical Seminars, as well as across a diverse range of other international, national and sub-national contexts. Yet, the Trans-European Nature Network remains to be established as a concrete policy instrument.

Turning the vision of a coherent TEN-N into reality requires more than science: it needs inclusive, participatory governance, dialogue between science, policy and practice, and international coordination. Responsibility is shared among authorities, conservation agencies, NGOs, communities and landowners. Building a climate-resilient, well-connected network of Protected Areas requires adequate staffing, specialised technical, financial and conflict-management skills, and stronger professional capacity across all actors.

EUROPARC supports an effective Protected Area network through capacity building and participatory processes. As part of NaturaConnect, EUROPARC and partners developed a comprehensive, self-paced training course, freely available upon registration on the European Nature Academy (ENA), with 13 modules covering concepts, governance and technical tools.

Access the NaturaConnect Learning Platform!

Image: Outline of the NaturaConnect training course available free of charge on the European Nature Academy (ENA).

While the formal project is ending, EUROPARC will continue to thrive for a better connected, resilient network of Protected Areas across Europe. We hope the tools, data, the new training course and recommendations developed through the project will continue to support our members as well as the global efforts in nature conservation.

Thank you for being part of the journey!

Explore all resources:

All project outputs are now ready for uptake by planners, authorities and Protected Area managers, including open-access spatial planning tools and 1 km resolution layers, such as opportunity costs and key ecological corridors across Europe. These resources help identify where conservation is economically feasible and where corridors are most needed.

The NaturaConnect Learning Platform

A self-paced online training course, hosted on EUROPARC Federation’s European Nature Academy. This is our capacity-building hub, designed to strengthen professional skills for designing and implementing the Trans-European Nature Network, with easy access to training modules and learning resources covering all of the project’s outputs.

The Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) Data Portal

A repository of spatial biodiversity datasets covering relevant model-based biodiversity variables, dimensions and scales.

Zenodo Collection

A repository for all project results that are not spatial in nature, alongside our spatial datasets, with free downloads of our datasets and maps.

NaturaConnect Google Scholar

A repository bringing together all peer-reviewed articles and scholarly publications linked to the project.

NaturaConnect RIO Collection

The repository for all project deliverables and outputs, including reports, datasets and other resources.

NaturaConnector

An interactive visualisation and decision-support platform, hosted and maintained by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Explore spatial scenarios for protecting, restoring and connecting nature across Europe, under current and future climate and land-use conditions.

NaturaConnect Website

We are delighted to welcome Rohkunborri National Park as our newest member. Located in northern Norway, between the cities of Narvik and Tromsø, it brings one of the region’s wildest and most varied landscapes to our community.

A landscape of extremes

Ida S Bjerka

Rohkunborri covers a remarkable range of habitats. Snow- capped mountains and glaciers give way to a spectacular canyon, while vast wetlands and ancient forests provide sanctuary for plants and animals. Today, the park protects one of the wildest areas in the region, safeguarding natural habitats that have changed little over the centuries.

Rohkunborri is a habitat for wolverine, lynx and bear. In addition, golden eagle, rough-legged buzzard, gyrfalcon and kestrel nest there.

A living cultural landscape

People have left their mark here since the Stone Age, and reindeer have long been part of the landscape, shaping it over generations. Today, both Norwegian and Swedish Sámi herders continue to graze their reindeer within the park.

The Sámi connection with this area is deep and enduring, and it is reflected in how the park is run. Both Norwegian and Swedish Sámi reindeer interests are represented on the governing board, placing them at the heart of decision-making. The board and the park administration work closely with Sámi interests on all relevant matters, recognising that open and constructive dialogue is essential to supporting Sámi use of the area, protecting cultural heritage and safeguarding natural values.

Ida S Bjerka

Meeting the challenges of a changing climate

Tor Erling

As a northern Protected Area, Rohkunborri is already feeling the effects of climate change, particularly through increased precipitation and more frequent flood events. The park is responding by building new infrastructure and upgrading existing facilities, both inside and outside its boundaries, to a robust standard. The aim is to reduce future maintenance needs and costs while keeping the park accessible and resilient.

Looking ahead

Rohkunborri joins us with a clear appetite for collaboration. The park team is keen to learn from colleagues across Europe, particularly on climate adaptation and visitor management, and to share its own experience of Sámi co-governance and robust infrastructure in a challenging northern climate.

Welcome to EUROPARC! We look forward to the knowledge, perspective and partnership this collaboration will bring to our Network!

While geographically different, cross-border Protected Areas face remarkably similar operational pressures. In the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Mountains, historical drainage changed the natural water balance, which led to falling groundwater levels and degraded peatlands.

Further north, in the Pasvik-Inari Transboundary Area, park managers address a combination of rapid Arctic climate impacts and regional shifts in cooperation. Norwegian and Finnish park authorities restructured their long-standing collaboration into a bilateral framework to maintain continuous environmental monitoring across the border.

Meanwhile, in the Alpine region of Binntal Nature Park and Ossola Protected Area (Veglia-Devero), park authorities balance different administrative frameworks across national borders. In Switzerland, nature parks operate primarily through regional consensus and promotion without direct regulatory powers over land management. Conversely, Italian regional parks enforce strict legal mandates across all environmental sectors. These administrative differences require creative solutions to align protection efforts.

These complex situations highlight a clear reality: when ecosystems cross borders, isolated park management actions fail to deliver long-term results.

Technical Solutions for Transboundary Nature Conservation

(c) Peatbogs, Krkonose/Karkonosze Transboundary Area

To protect these connected landscapes, partner organisations across all three regions implement direct technical, scientific, and operational solutions:

• Harmonised Ecological Monitoring: Czech and Polish partners develop a shared peatland inventory and standardised “peatland cards” to identify priority restoration sites[Project: CZ.11.01.02/00/23_011/0000161 Importance, change and practical protection of peatbogs]. Similarly, Finnish and Norwegian authorities run joint monitoring programmes, including non-invasive hair-trap studies for brown bears and coordinated water quality tracking in shared river catchments.
• Active Habitat Restoration: Monitoring data directly informs on-the-ground action. In Krkonoše/Karkonosze, managers build small wooden dams to block drainage channels and re-wet degraded peatlands.
• Systematic Climate Adaptation: Through the Interreg Aurora-funded CLAP project (2024–2026), Arctic managers test climate-adapted trails, electric maintenance equipment, and resilient campsite designs to keep visitors safe while protecting fragile habitats.
• Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer and “Quiet Zones”: Italian managers in Veglia Devero adopted Swiss-inspired “Quiet Zones” to protect wintering and nesting wildlife from human disturbance. Both parks now work to integrate these Italian wildlife protection areas directly into official Swiss topological mapping. Additionally, through the joint MINERALP project, both parks conduct cross-border training for park guides and celebrate their shared mineral heritage.

Key Lessons for Future Conservation Programmes

The combined experiences of these Protected Areas demonstrate three essential principles for transboundary nature conservation:

1. Ecosystems do not follow administrative borders. Managing them effectively requires harmonised data and shared decision-making frameworks, even when legal systems differ.

2. Successful long-term management depends on local involvement. Incorporating Sámi representation and cultural guidelines in the north, alongside local alpine farmers and stakeholders in the Alps, ensures traditional knowledge and local needs guide conservation priorities.

3. Building strong, day-to-day working relationships between park administrations turns project-based cooperation into lasting environmental protection.

By sharing knowledge and coordinating action across national borders, European park partners demonstrate that nature conservation achieves the greatest impact when it remains connected, shared, and boundary-free. Explore more about how we support park networking across Europe on our EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programme page.

                    Here is your chance to become an accredited Transboundary Area:

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We are delighted to announce the winners of the STAR Awards 2026, recognising outstanding tourism businesses that demonstrate excellence in sustainable tourism within ECST Protected Areas.

STAR Awards: Celebrating Sustainable Tourism Development

This year’s winners have shown exceptional commitment to conservation, local development, environmental education, and sustainable business practices, contributing to the goals of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

STAR Award Overall Winner

Società Agricola Montagna Verde

Located in Appennino Tosco Emiliano National Park, Italy

Activities: Accommodation, restaurant and food services, environmental education centre, and farming.

Awarded First Place and STAR Award Overall Winner, Società Agricola Montagna Verde was recognised for its outstanding integrated approach to biodiversity conservation, rural regeneration, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and local employment creation.

Picture Credit: Barbara Maffei

STAR Award Runner-Up

Ipalan

Located in Garajonay National Park, Spain

Activities: Nature and cultural guiding services and incoming tourism agency.

Awarded Second Place and STAR Award Runner-Up, Ipalan was recognised for its exemplary engagement of visitors in conservation activities, its strong collaboration with the Protected Area, and its commitment to environmental education and ecosystem restoration.

Picture credit: Ipalan

STAR Award Honourable Mention

Bodega Vinculo Serrano

Located in Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park, Spain

Activities: Agricultural producer.

Awarded Third Place and STAR Award Honourable Mention, Bodega Vinculo Serrano was recognised for its contribution to regenerative agriculture, landscape conservation, sustainable rural development, and the preservation of traditional farming systems.

Picture Credit: Bodega Vinculo Serrano

The Star Awards recognise businesses that deliver tangible benefits for nature, local communities, and visitors. The Star Awards 2026 winners demonstrate how tourism businesses can play a vital role in supporting Protected Areas while contributing to resilient local economies. They will officially be awarded during the ECST Award Ceremony in Brussels later this year.

Learn more about EUROPARC’s Programme ‘European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas’.