Following Nature Design

A New Chapter for the Julian Alps Ecoregion

In 2025, the Julian Alps Transboundary Ecoregion—made up of Triglav National Park (Slovenia) and Prealpi Giulie Nature Park (Italy)—is under re-evaluation for the EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programme. The process, repeated every five years, is not just an assessment. It is a reflection of continued commitment to cross-border nature protection and collaboration.

The outcome of this year’s re-evaluation is not yet known. A verifier’s report will be submitted to the EUROPARC Steering and Evaluation Committee (STEC) and then the Council for final decision. Until then, the Parks look back on five years filled with progress and connection.

Stronger Together—Even in Crisis

From 2020 through 2025, the partnership between the two Parks grew stronger—even when direct contact was limited. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel and delayed several activities. Still, both teams found creative ways to maintain momentum. Online meetings became routine. Frequent phone calls kept coordination tight. Staff members stayed in close contact, and mutual trust deepened.

This cooperation didn’t just survive—it adapted and thrived.

Highlights from 2020–2025

In 2020 and 2021, the parks shifted their efforts online. They held the 6th and 7th Transboundary ECST Forums digitally and took part as a pilot region in the DINALPCONNECT project. Steering committee meetings continued without pause, thanks to video conferencing.

By 2022, the focus turned back to the field. The Parks identified and tested a new transboundary connecting trail. They also launched the UNESCO Julian Alps Transboundary Biosphere Reserve nomination process in December. That same year, they hosted the 8th ECST Forum in Venzone.

The following year brought major milestones. In 2023, the parks signed a formal cooperation agreement in June. They also presented their UNESCO MAB dossier and co-organised the ECST Conference in Bled. In October, the 9th ECST Forum took place in Log pod Mangrtom.

2024 marked a year of visibility and celebration. UNESCO officially recognised the Julian Alps as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The Parks promoted the area together at WTM London and the Italian Biosphere Reserve conference. They launched community events, named new ambassadors, and planned new cross-border cycling trails. In addition, they joined each other at major events—like the 100-year anniversary of Triglav National Park and a school opening in Resia.

(c) Julian Alps TBA

Building on Shared Foundations

Over time, the Parks have built a strong base of recurring activities. These include school exchanges, the “Youth at the Top” initiative, annual joint events, and exhibitions in both countries. Teams regularly exchange articles, attend international forums, and promote the area through local and regional media.

Partnerships go beyond events. Staff from both sides collaborate in the Danilo Re TB team and work together on EU-funded projects. This steady cooperation strengthens local engagement and helps the Transboundary Ecoregion speak with one voice.

(c) Julian Alps TBA

Planning the Future, Together

The Parks have not only looked back—they’ve looked ahead. Since 2022, they have co-developed several guiding documents. These include the Partnership Agreement that launched the UNESCO process, the official 2023 candidacy dossier, and a new Action Plan (2025–2029). These tools will guide their cooperation for years to come.

They also continue to share knowledge beyond their borders. In 2023 and 2024, they presented their model of transboundary governance to delegates from Laos, Vietnam, Norway, and Finland. Their experience now serves as a best-practice case in Europe and beyond.

Awaiting the Next Step

As they await the results of the 2025 EUROPARC re-evaluation, Triglav National Park and Prealpi Giulie Nature Park remain hopeful. Their work over the past five years reflects deep commitment, shared goals, and a clear vision.

Whether recognised again this year or not, the Julian Alps Transboundary Ecoregion has already proven its value—as a bridge between communities, cultures, and conservation goals.

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Three case studies highlighting successful ways to welcome visitors in Protected Areas. 

Welcoming visitors: How to positively include visitors into a Protected Area

Protected areas and tourism departments can enhance the visitor experience by making nature more accessible, inclusive, and easy to navigate—without harming the environment. This means creating clear signage, accessible trails and entry points, user-friendly maps and apps, and offering services that cater to a range of needs and abilities. By designing experiences that are welcoming and informative, visitors feel safe, inspired, and more connected to nature. When access is thoughtfully managed, it supports both a positive user experience and the long-term health of natural areas.

(c) Latgales Tūrisma asociācija

Case Study 1: Hiking boom and the necessity to be present

With the recent pandemic, many people were introduced to their local landscapes and experienced first hand benefits to spending more time out in nature. This increase in activity was an opportunity for the Latgale Tourism Association who saw this as an opportunity to diversify the options available to visitors in the area. Read how they implemented projects to establish long distance hiking trails within and across landscapes, focusing on facilitating a good user experience.

Case Study 2: Creating visitor profiles to guide the customer-centered service development of Metsähallitus Parks and Wildlife Finland

(c) Metsähallitus Parks and Wildlife Finland

Just like we celebrate the diversity of nature, we should recognise and celebrate the diversity of visitors and their expectations or needs. Metsähallitus Parks and Wildlife Finland have done exactly that using a service design approach based on visitor insight. This in-depth research led to the highly successful development of a diversity of visitor profiles which have been used to mark hiking trails and much more, allowing the park to nudge the visitors into behaviours which best match their needs, leading to better experiences.

Lobau Together Week. (c) Susanne Leputsch

Case Study 3: Visitor Management Lobau 2023+ customised solution for periurban challenges in the Viennese share of Donau-Auen National Park

Our third example is a collaborative approach of identifying challenges and solving them together with the local stakeholders including police and political decision-makers. Read about the “Lobau Together Weeks” which resulted in a better relationship between the many people visiting this periurban park. Perhaps your park has implemented something similar?

These case studies show a more positive view of visitor management in Protected Areas, but we also understand that some areas have trouble with “overtourism”. To explore techniques employed to manage the negative effects of high visitation rates, read our previous article.

Do you also have interesting experiences, projects or challenges that you have overcome in successful and creative ways? Consider submitting a case study and be featured in our EUROPARC news. Please visit our Knowledge Hub or reach out to us if you have any questions!