How Can Protected Areas Become Hubs for Education for Sustainable Development

For the last year, the Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship supported the work of young conservationists in Protected Areas across Europe. Lucia Cușnir was one of the winners of the Scholarship in 2023 and travelled to Slovakia, Denmark, Hunary and within Romania to learn more about how Protected Areas can implement Education for Sustainable Development.

How Can Protected Areas Become Hubs for Education for Sustainable Development

Protected areas are no longer seen just as conservation zones to protect our natural and cultural heritage — they are increasingly being recognized as dynamic learning classrooms for people of all ages. These landscapes provide powerful opportunities for education, offering immersive, hands-on experiences that connect individuals with nature, culture, and sustainability in meaningful ways.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in protected areas serves as a bridge between conservation efforts and community engagement, ensuring that people not only understand but actively participate in protecting our natural and cultural heritage.

Learning from the Field

This study tries to explore best practices, challenges, and opportunities in implementing ESD initiatives & activities across European protected areas, drawing insights from study visits to Tatra National Park (Slovakia), Lille Vildmose Centre (Denmark), Hortobágy National Park (Hungary), and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania).

Through qualitative research methods, including field observations, stakeholder interviews, and participatory engagement, the study highlights the diverse ways in which protected areas integrate ESD initiatives and activities into their management. Interpretive visitor centers, educational and interpretive trails, guided tours, Junior Ranger programmes, and hands-on conservation activities serve as key tools in fostering environmental awareness and responsibility. Additionally, local engagement through festivals, volunteering initiatives, and citizen science programs reinforces the role of communities in ESD.

Protected areas that prioritize community voices, cultural relevance, and local ownership are more likely to foster long-term conservation engagement.

Challenges and Opportunities in ESD

Despite strong local leadership and inspiring examples, many protected areas struggle with the same challenges: underfunding, staff shortages, and rigid policies that don’t reflect field realities. Rangers and educators often work beyond their mandates, driven by passion but lacking support.

However, there are also opportunities. Cross-sectoral partnerships with other protected areas, NGOs, educational institutions, and local authorities can enhance the reach and impact of ESD efforts. By sharing resources, and learning from each other’s experiences, these collaborations can create more resilient and innovative education programs.

The Way Forward

For ESD to truly thrive in protected areas, it must be supported by policies that reflect real field experiences, and designed with flexibility in mind. Protected areas must also recognize that every ranger on patrol, every school visit, and every community gathering is a moment of education — and an opportunity for stewardship.

As this study shows, education doesn’t just happen through formal strategies. It lives in stories, gestures, trails, shared meals, and simple conversations on the field. ESD isn’t just about delivering information — it’s about sparking curiosity, sharing stories, and leading by example. When people meet the passionate educators and rangers behind conservation, they don’t just learn — they care.

Dive deeper into this topic through the report below!

Read the full report here!