EUROPARC Toolkit: Health and Well-being benefits from Protected Areas

Published on:

On the occasion of the World Health Day 2018, EUROPARC launched a toolkit addressing the health outcomes that Protected Areas can bring to their local communities. 

The toolkit “Health and Well-Being Benefits from Parks and Protected Areas” provides practical advice to set up policy and activities in your Park; brings you the latest evidence, reports and other useful resources; and shares inspiring examples from across the EUROPARC network.

A must-read for all Protected area staff (including planners, site managers, rangers, and wardens) but also to governmental bodies aiming to develop national and regional policy to leverage health benefits from natural areas.

The toolkit is available online (click on the image)

Toolkit: Health and Well-being benefits

Why should Parks be involved in supporting health outcomes? The delivery of health objectives by parks and protected areas is a natural extension of their traditional role in providing for access and recreation – it illustrates the environment sector responding to social needs and should be embedded as part of park management bodies’ core business.

According to the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer ‘transforming Scotland’s Health, NHS Scotland in 2011, a brisk 30-minute walk on five days of the week can reduce the risk of:

  • Heart attack and stroke by 20-30%;
  • Diabetes by 30-40%;
  • Hip fractures by 36-68%;
  • Bowel cancer by 30%;
  • Breast cancer by 20% and
  • Depression/dementia by 30%

Visiting the outdoors can help address issues of poor health and health inequalities

There is a range of good practice in Europe’s national parks and other protected areas in increasing physical activity, improving mental health and addressing health inequalities using green exercise and contact with nature through outdoor recreation, volunteering, learning, gardening and active travel. In the toolkit, you will find the latest studies that showcase a positive correlation between outdoor activities and health improvements, and access some interesting projects that have been implemented throughout Europe.

National Perspectives: linking Health & Nature

Parks & protected areas contribute to individual and community health and well-being, and to wider aspects of economic health and growth. We share 2 examples of how national health policy and practice based on nature-based solutions can contribute to disease prevention, treatment and care.

Scotlands’ “Natural Health Service”

Scotland is making significant progress in the green health agenda and is seen as a front-runner within the UK and Europe in this topic. We bring you specifically the initiative “Our Natural Health Service”, a cross-sector partnership involving planning, transport, education, sport, health and environment.

Landscape and access improvements have brought a range of health benefits, as well as enhancing biodiversity and delivering more cost-effective estate management systems. Scotland is making the case for nature & health: showing how green exercise contribute to key health challenges, improve quality of life and tackles physical inactivity, mental ill-health and health inequalities

“Healthy Parks, Healthy People Finland”

Benefits of nature for human health and wellbeing are seen as an increasingly important topic in Finnish society. The national agency Metsähallitus – Parks and Wildlife Finland, working in cooperation with its partners, is responding to future challenges through the Healthy Parks, Healthy People Finland 2025 programme. The goal of the programme is to improve social, physical and mental well-being of the Finnish population through green space and contact with nature.

The aim is to inspire people to become physically active and to spend time in the natural environment more often and for longer periods in their everyday life as well as their leisure time.

The Toolkit was developed by the members of EUROPARC Commission on Health and Protected Areas, who are very keen to receive your feedback.

The principles expressed in the toolkit have been developed from the Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy as set out in the Melbourne Communiqué of 2010 which has been endorsed by the EUROPARC Federation.

Interpretation Course by Interpret Europe

Published on:

Our Parks and Protected areas form the bedrock of much of Europe’s Cultural heritage. The food we eat, clothes we wear, customs to mark the passing of seasons and even language can all be connected to our landscape.

 In an increasingly disconnected European society it is often by reconnecting to nature through our protected areas, that people can understand their culture once more.

The Protected areas therefore have an important function to deliver…..through the work of guides, ranger and the parks messages itself.

Interpret Europe have develop a series of excellent training course that will enable those working in or with parks to get the best interpretation possible that will help visitors and communities understand, value and care for their natural and cultural heritage.

EUROPARC warmly invites members to send staff and partners to develop their communication skills and rethink and revitalize the interpretation offers of the park.

The next course is in Krakow from June 11th-15th and we urge you to REGISTER NOW. You can find details HERE http://mik.krakow.pl/cicerone/2018/#courses

About the Interpretation Course

The course hosts say   “We believe that cultural and natural heritage is a great treasure. However, it is not enough to protect it. We should also share it, making it available in a thoughtful, interesting and engaging way, making it easier for recipients to understand and appreciate its values.”

Hear what some of your fellow park people have said about the Interpret Europe training courses

How can Interpret Europe’s course for Certified Interpretive Guides help those working in National Parks?

Brigitte Eckle, Manager of ‘Haus des Wasser’ (House of Water), Hohe Tauern Nationalpark (Tyrol, Austria):

For me, the CIG Training opened a new approach to programs with adults. Shining eyes, ‘aha-moments’ and interested questions from curious participants in my programs give proof that the interpretive methods really work. Interpretation allows us to get a different view on things in our environment and to connect it with our own experience. Interpreting is the perfect tool for me to achieve that goal. I now have so many things to add to my programs and now they are really harmonious.

Klaus Puntaier, Manager of ‘Naturparkhaus Schlern-Rosengarten‘, Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten (South Tyrol, Italy):

In my job, I try to get people closer to nature and to convince them of the importance of protecting it. It is really important to deliver facts and data. However, we do not reach people and sensitize them with pure facts about Geology, Botany and Zoology…. Therefore we have to address people directly. Interpretation is for me very valuable in doing this.

Benjamin Mader-Bock, Park Ranger, National Park Gesäuse, (Styria, Austria):

Not only was the CIG-Training a great personal experience and exercise but it also provided me with a new set of tools for use in my work. It was a unique opportunity to hone my skills as a guide and learn new ways of reaching and guiding our visitors. And above all it was great fun working with other guides and learning with and through them.

Doris Remschak, Park Ranger, National Park Gesäuse, (Styria, Austria):

The CIG training helped me to focus on the phenomenon and not to talk about thousands of other things. It encouraged me to leave questions open and to provoke people to reflect and find their own answers.
I own a small shop and I often use interpretive techniques to get in better contact to my customers.

Johanna Eisank, Assistant in environmental education, in charge of the Partnerschools  & Junior Ranger project, National Park Gesäuse, (Styria, Austria):

In spite of my study in environmental education, I got a lot of inspiration and thought-provoking impulses for my programmes in the national park Gesäuse (Austria) during my CIG. Because of the CIG I look differently on our natural heritage and on single phenomena in nature. I have learned, that it is important to relate on people’s daily life – so they can better understand how nature develops and acts. As a park ranger leave your knowledge out and work with the experiences of your visitors – then add some of your experiences, provoke emotions and you are perfectly fine. It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about finding a link between your visitors and natural/cultural heritage.

For my work in the national park, the CIG immensely changed my demand on my factual knowledge. Now I don’t give a lot of facts to our visitors, instead, I am trying to give inspiration and meaningful experiences.

2 Webinars on Wildfire by EUROPARC Atlantic Isles

Wildfire, by pixabay.com

Published on:

 The Moors for the Future Partnership is coordinating two wildfire webinars to showcase international research and collaborative working to tackle their devastating effects. The webinars are hosted by Europarc Atlantic Isles.

1) Rising from the ashes – wildfire conversation, research and prevention in the UK and beyond

  •  Thursday 26th April – 12-1 pm BST (British summer time)
  • Register here

Two months after the Moors for the Future Partnership started, a huge fire swept across Bleaklow moor, sending plumes of thick smoke across Greater Manchester, forcing Manchester airport to close. The fire burnt seven hectares of moorland -equivalent of 14 football or hockey pitches -killing everything in its path from vegetation to livestock. This fire epitomised the task ahead and Bleaklow became the focus of the initial restoration works. Since then, the Partnership has undertaken conservation and science work on a wide range of moorland sites across the Peak District and South Pennines that stretch from Leek in Staffordshire to the River Aire in Yorkshire. An introduction by a member of the Moors for the Future Partnership team will be followed by two other speakers on the wildfire subject.

2) Adding fuel to the fire: the pivotal role of Fire Operations Groups (FOGs) in wildfire fighting 

  • Friday 4th May – 12-1 pm BST (British summer time)
  • Register here

This second webinar in the wildfire series will showcase the power and importance of partnership work in attending wildfires, and dealing with their aftermaths. Robert Stacey from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Secretary of the Northumberland Fire Group, will talk about improving understanding of wildfires internationally. Robert’s presentation will be followed by two other speakers on the wildfire subject.

European Habitats Forum: Position Paper on EU Pollinators Initiative launched

Published on:

Europe is facing significant declines in flying bees, moths and other pollinators. This is a worrying trend, considering that an estimated third of the leading global food crop types can benefit from animal pollination and around 88% of wild flowering plants rely on this irreplaceable ecosystem service.

Effective action on the ground and at policy level is needed to tackle the drivers of the harmful trend. To the benefit of both, the preservation of our terrestrial biodiversity and of agricultural production.

EU Takes (Pollinator Protection) Initiative

The European Commission has come to acknowledge the gravity of the issue and currently develops an “EU Initative on Pollinators”EUROPARC very much welcomes this engagement and seeks to support the process with its network and expertise. The European Habitats Forum (EHF), which EUROPARC is member of, has just launched a Position Paper , outlining its views on the causes and consequences of pollinator declines, giving recommendations to mitigate the development.

Protected Areas and Pollinator Protection: Priority To Habitat Connectivity & Protection

The joint call of European Habitats Forum members to the European Commission is clear. Priorities must be to:

  • restore essential pollinators’ habitats and increase their connectivity in agricultural landscapes;
  • address harmful subsidies and incentives in the Common Agriculture Policy and replace them with incentives for practices benefitting pollinators;
  • prevent the harmful impact of pesticides by ensuring their sustainable use reviewing the pesticides approval process, and addressing the problem of abusive derogations and lack of transparency on the actual use of pesticides in the EU.

Have your say: Public Consultation on Pollinators – Last Call 5th April

Currently the last hours of public consultation on priorities for the EU Initiative on Polllinators are running. The questionnaire covers the causes and consequences of pollinator declines, potential mitigation measures and the EU dimension to the problem and takes about 20 minutes to be answered. Make sure you have your Protected Areas’ voices heard in the consultation, ensuring their valuable role is considered in the design of measures to be taken in the upcoming months!