First European Summit of Regional Nature Parks in Europe
“Regional Nature Parks – strong partners for nature conservation and sustainable rural development”
- Wednesday, 21 June 2017, 18.00 h – 21.00 h
- Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union,
- Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brussels
The almost 900 Regional Nature Parks in Europe were established in 20 Member States of the EU-28 as well as in Switzerland and Norway during the last decades. They play an important role in safeguarding beautiful landscapes and biodiversity in Europe and became a driving force for sustainable rural development and job creation in the Member States. Yet, there is still unused potential to enhance this interconnection and to further develop the multi-stakeholder approach stretching from the local to the European level.
The First European Summit of Regional Nature Parks in Europe is dedicated to answering the question of how Regional Nature Parks can be more effectively used to achieve the EU’s objectives in the fields of nature conservation and sustainable development, by bringing together experts from the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament.
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The Association of German Nature Parks, in cooperation with EUROPARC Federation and funded by the German Environment Ministry, has carried out an empirical study on the situation of Regional Nature Parks in Europe. The study showcases the work and the governance of the European Regional Nature Parks in the 22 countries. A book with the results of the study will be presented at the summit meeting; it will animate the debate of a distinguished panel of experts and political actors about a more efficient use of these parks for achieving the objectives of the EU in the field of nature conservation and sustainable development.