The 13th edition of the ECST Network Meeting brought together over 100 people from 19 countries in Westport, Mayo County, Ireland from 29 – 31 October, 2024.

Networking in the Wild West of Ireland

Discover the event in pictures:

One year after the last network meeting, European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) network members, as well as other participants interested in Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, had the chance to enjoy a 3-day exchange in the ‘Wild West of Ireland’. The event focussed on visitor management in Protected Areas and provided participants with the chance to discover the West Coast of Ireland, with visits to the beautiful Connemara and Wild Nephin National Parks.

There was a numerous Irish delegation, issued from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, co-organisers of the event, and other Irish nature conservation entities, interested in learning more about sustainble tourism management in Protected Areas. Ireland is new to the ECST in Protected Areas. The Burren NP is the first Irish Park already registered to become part of the programme in 2025.

Through this event, Ireland took a further, important step towards a more sustainable form of tourism. Learn more on the dedicated page on our website:

To the ECST meeting 2024 page!

Introduction to Leave No Trace Ireland: A Newcomer to EUROPARC

EUROPARC is thrilled to welcome Leave No Trace Ireland as a new member of its network. This organisation is dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation while protecting the environment. Since its launch in 2004, Leave No Trace Ireland has played a crucial role in environmental stewardship, empowering individuals and communities to reduce their impact on nature through education, research, and partnerships.

Who is Leave No Trace Ireland?

Leave No Trace Ireland aims to minimise human impact on natural landscapes and cultural heritage through education, advocacy, and community involvement. Their mission is to preserve Ireland’s natural beauty and rich history for future generations by encouraging responsible outdoor behaviour.

Key Goals and Activities of Leave No Trace Ireland

1. Education and Training

Leave No Trace Ireland offers a variety of educational programmes to promote sustainable outdoor practices. Through workshops, courses, and resources aimed at individuals, schools, and organisations, they equip people with the tools needed to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

2. Research

Research is a cornerstone of Leave No Trace Ireland’s mission. The organisation studies the effects of outdoor activities on the environment and cultural sites. These findings shape effective conservation strategies and guidelines.

3. Outreach and Advocacy

The organisation collaborates with government bodies, local authorities, and environmental organisations to advocate for policies that support sustainable outdoor recreation. Their outreach efforts also raise public awareness about environmental responsibility.

4. Publications and Resources

To extend their reach, Leave No Trace Ireland creates guides, brochures, and online content. These materials help the public and organisations understand how to minimise their environmental impact during outdoor activities.

5. Community Engagement

Community involvement is vital to Leave No Trace Ireland’s approach. The organisation partners with local groups for clean-up events, restoration projects, and awareness campaigns, fostering stewardship at the grassroots level.

Volunteers on a clean up hike taking a break to take part in the Breakdown Game, (c) Leave No Trace

6. Cultural Heritage Conservation

The organisation emphasises protecting cultural heritage sites. They offer guidelines for engaging in outdoor activities responsibly near historical locations, ensuring these culturally significant areas are preserved for future generations.

7. Partnerships

Collaboration is key to Leave No Trace Ireland’s success. The organisation works with various stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, recreation groups, educational institutions, and government agencies. These partnerships help amplify their impact and spread the Leave No Trace message.

A Vision for the Future

Through these activities, Leave No Trace Ireland seeks to foster a culture of respect for the environment and cultural heritage. By educating the public, advocating for sustainable practices, and engaging communities, they align outdoor recreation with conservation efforts. As a new member of EUROPARC, they look forward to collaborating with others to protect Europe’s natural and cultural landscapes for future generations.

1. What unique experiences or expertise does your organisation bring that could contribute to the collective goals of the EUROPARC network?

Leave No Trace Ireland offers valuable expertise in environmental education, sustainable outdoor practices, and community engagement. Our training programmes and resources empower individuals and communities to reduce their environmental footprint. By building partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and local communities, we strengthen conservation efforts. Our experience promoting Leave No Trace principles across Ireland aligns perfectly with the goals of the EUROPARC network.

2. How do you envisage collaborating with other EUROPARC members to enhance conservation and sustainable tourism efforts across Europe?

We plan to collaborate with EUROPARC members by sharing our expertise in sustainable outdoor practices and environmental education. Together, we can develop joint training programmes and initiatives that promote responsible recreation. By exchanging best practices and success stories, we aim to address shared challenges and contribute to the network’s conservation and sustainable tourism goals across Europe.

3. Could you share any upcoming projects or initiatives your organisation is planning that might benefit from the expertise or support of the EUROPARC network?

Leave No Trace Ireland is excited to partner on the CONNECT project, where EUROPARC’s expertise in sustainable tourism will be crucial. This project focuses on enhancing outdoor sustainability practices across Europe.

The EUROPARC Annual Report details all the work done in the previous year to achieve our vision of “Sustainable Nature; Valued by People”. Discover what happened in our 50th Anniversary year!

50 years of EUROPARC

2023 was marked by our 50th Anniversary. As our President Michael Hošek states in his opening remark’s of the Annual Report:

It is cause for celebration, but also for reflection on our legacy and future.

The 2023 Annual Report does exactly that. On 44 pages, our members can discover everything the Federation achieved in this momentous year. From milestones in our projects, to the celebrations at our Annual Conference, and the creation of the first ever EUROPARC Youth Council – this is your chance to catch up with all of our activities.

The publication emphasises not just the work of the EUROPARC Directorate, but the overall importance of Europe’s Protected Areas for the safeguarding of our nature. Furthermore, it showcases the importance of connectivity, both between natural spaces, and amongst people.

As always, the Report ends with inputs from the EUROPARC Sections on their achievements in 2023.

Read it now! Available in English, French and German.

English – Annual Report 2023      Français – Rapport Annuel 2023

Deutsch – Jahresbericht 2023

We wish happy readings!

Nature brings many benefits, however, to ensure adequate political and financial support it is important to relate this into numbers. Metsähallitus / Parks & Wildlife Finland have done exactly that in this new study.

Expert article from Tiina Hakkarainen, Manager, Corporate Relations. Metsähallitus / Parks & Wildlife Finland

Metsähallitus and the UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research calculated the benefits of outdoor activities for the Finnish economy.

In 2022, people participating in outdoor activities in National Parks and hiking areas reduced the costs to Finish society by EUR 164 million. This is done in the following two ways: outdoor sports reduce the costs incurred by chronic diseases, whilst also helping people retain their ability to work.

In 2022, more than 6.2 million visits were made to Metsähallitus nature sites. If the number of visitors to nature sites remained at least at the current level, the estimated savings would amount to as much as EUR 1.6 billion over the next 10 years. Compared to the costs incurred to society by sedentary lifestyles, the maintenance of nature sites is a cost-effective way of saving on these costs and promoting public health.

Many of Metsähallitus nature sites are suitable for day trips for the whole family, thus providing a socially significant means of increasing the physical activity of the population in addition to other methods of exercise.

Outdoor activity can generate far more savings than at present

The calculations made by the UKK Institute and Metsähallitus are underpinned by the costs of sedentary lifestyles to society, which amount to approximately EUR 3.2 billion annually. The costs of sedentary lifestyles are based on research conducted in cooperation with the UKK Institute, the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE), JAMK University of Applied Sciences, LIKES and the University of Turku Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC).

The savings generated by outdoor activities were calculated taking into account the physical activity recommendation issued for Finns aged 18 and over as well as the extent to which people comply with it. This compliance was compared to how much it saves society on the costs incurred by national diseases and productivity costs.

Productivity costs refer to indirect costs incurred by society due to loss of production, such as sick leaves, disability pensions and premature deaths. The number of visits to nature sites on state-owned land managed by Metsähallitus was used to calculate the savings in 2022.

The calculations include Metsähallitus nature sites where it has been theoretically possible to engage in body weight outdoor activities during the recommended number of visits.

Funding for Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland comes from the Finnish Government

Funding for Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland mainly comes from the state budget. Many tasks are also carried out as projects with partners, partly with external funding, most notably from the European Union.

The funding for Parks & Wildlife Finland has been cut in recent years. For this reason, the UKK Institute report on savings from outdoor activities was of particularly importance.

Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland manages all 41 Finnish National Parks and provides free basic services at sites, at customer service points and online. Parks & Wildlife Finland provides free basic services for hikers so that as many people as possible can enjoy nature. Good hiking services make it possible to engage in outdoor activities safely and without disturbing the environment. It is also easy for nature tourism companies to develop their sustainable nature tourism activities on the basis of these services.

Further information:

Kolu P, Kari JT, Raitanen J, Sievänen H, Tokola K, Havas E, Pehkonen J, Tammelin TH, Pahkala K, Hutri-Kähönen N, Raitakari OT, Vasankari T. Economic burden of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2022 Jul; 76(7):677-684. doi: 10.1136/jech-2021-217998 (PDF, 592 kb, jech.bmj.com)

Download here the original study “Economic burden of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland”