In an exciting step towards bridging the worlds of Outdoor Sports and Nature Conservation, the EUROPARC Federation and the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS) have launched a new joint award. This initiative aims to highlight and reward innovative projects that harmonise Outdoor Sports with protecting Europe’s treasured natural landscapes.

Aims of the Award

The joint award has been designed to serve as a recognition of sustainable practices and collaboration, championing efforts that balance the enjoyment of Outdoor Sports with the conservation of natural environments. Its primary objectives include:

• Promoting harmonious coexistence between Outdoor Sports and Nature Conservation within Protected Areas.
• Encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange between stakeholders in Outdoor Sports and environmental management.
• Recognising innovative practices that demonstrate how Outdoor Sports can actively enhance Nature Conservation efforts.
• Rewarding excellence in sustainable outdoor sports initiatives that contribute to Nature Conservation.

Who Can Apply?

The award is open to organisations, groups, or individuals based in a European Country, including islands and outermost territories.

Eligible initiatives must demonstrate:

• A clear connection between Nature Conservation management and Outdoor Sports organisations.
• Evidence of successful and innovative practices or approaches
• Positive outcomes achieved through projects implemented within the past two years.
• This is an opportunity for those leading change in Europe’s Outdoor Sports and conservation communities to gain recognition and share their successes on a larger platform.

While membership in either EUROPARC or ENOS is not required, our members will receive a slight advantage in the form of extra points in the scoring system that determines the winner.

Would you like to become a member? Learn more here:

The Application Process

Applications for the award will be accepted from 18th March until 31st May.

Applicants must provide:

• A detailed description of their initiative, including its objectives, activities, and outcomes.
• Documentation of the environmental and social impacts of the project.
• Evidence of innovative approaches or practices, along with any relevant promotional materials such as photos, videos, or articles.

Celebrating Success

Successful initiatives will be celebrated with:

• A free* participation at the EUROPARC or ENOS Conference (*excluding travel and accommodation), offering a valuable opportunity to broaden their professional network.
• A certificate of recognition.
• Promotion through EUROPARC’s and ENOS’s extensive network of professionals and enthusiasts in both fields.

The award ceremony will rotate between the biennial EUROPARC and ENOS conferences, with winners taking the stage to showcase their work to a diverse audience of conservationists and sports enthusiasts.

By recognising initiatives that combine Outdoor Sports with Nature Conservation, the EUROPARC Federation and ENOS aim to pave the way for a sustainable future where recreation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. This award is not only a celebration of excellence but also a call to action, inspiring others to reimagine the relationship between people, sports, and nature.

If your organisation, group, or initiative is leading the charge in this space, don’t miss the chance to apply. Let your success story inspire others to protect and enjoy Europe’s nature responsibly.

Would you like to learn more about the collaboration between EUROPARC and ENOS? Discover our Memorandum of Understanding and explore the 10 Good Principles for Outdoor Sports in Protected Areas, designed to foster responsible behaviour and sustainable practices. Join us in promoting harmony between Outdoor Sports and Nature Conservation—get involved and help protect Europe’s natural treasures while enjoying them responsibly.

Submit your own case study
At EUROPARC, we endeavour to find and collect Case Studies of Protected Area management around Europe. Do you want to collaborate? Submit your Case study!

From the 25th to the 28th of February 2025, the FAO headquarters in Rome hosted the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Delegates from all around the world gathered to address pressing issues left unresolved from the previous session in Cali, Colombia (Oct 21, 2024 – Nov 1, 2024). The outcomes were a blend of optimism, financial pledges and a few cliffhangers.

Back Story

Biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem services, and they are crucial to our survival and well-being. It serves as a foundation for building a resilient and sustainable future. However, since the 1970s we have a seen a decline in biodiversity, and dependence on these resources are increasing. Trillions of USD are generated annually through economic activity reliant on nature, yet a significant financial gap of 1 trillion for biodiversity remains, particularly impacting developing countries. Bridging this financial shortfall is imperative to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

At COP15 in 2022, the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted to counter biodiversity loss. The framework set out four goals for 2025 and 23 targets for 2030. We would like to underline 2 targets which are relevant to EUROPARC and its members, working to manage Protected Areas.

• Target 2 highlights the restoration of 30% of ecosystems by 2030.
• Target 3 calls attention to the conservation of 30% of terrestrial, inland water and of coastal and marine areas by 2030.

Additionally, target 19 which aims to mobilise 200 billion USD per year for biodiversity, including 30bn through international finance.

EUROPARC underlines that we do not just need more Protected Areas, but that our protected spaces need to be effectively managed to achieve their conservation objectives. We are working on advancing this work through the LIFE PAME Europe project, which you can learn more about here.

Cali Fund

To further the progress on bridging the financial shortfall, the Cali Fund was established during COP16. Named after the city where discussion began, the funds will be sources from private sector such as agribusiness and pharmaceuticals that uses genetic materials for commercial purposes. A key achievement of COP16 is the decision to allocate these funds to indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring their crucial role in biodiversity conservation is recognised and supported.

A Strategy for Resources Mobilisation was adopted to address financial biodiversity gap through mobilising 200bn USD annually, with an additional 20bn USD in international flows by 2025.

Furthermore, a framework was adopted for planning, monitoring, reporting and review (PMRR). The framework enhances accountability in achieving the GBF’s 23 target and four goals. It also includes guidelines for how countries should develop their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.

Indigenous Voices

A significant outcome of COP16 was the establishment established of a new permanent subsidiary body to ensure the meaningful contributions of Indigenous peoples and local communities in implementing the Convention’s objectives. This development embeds the knowledge and perspectives of indigenous people across global biodiversity efforts.

COP16 was another step towards a world that balances human, economic and biodiversity needs. EUROPARC advocates for Protected Areas to be at the forefront of these discussions.

After almost 17 years of dedicated service, Carol Ritchie will be leaving her role as Executive Director of the EUROPARC Federation.

Throughout her tenure, Carol has been a strong advocate for Protected Areas and has played an important role in supporting the work of the President, the Council, and our members. Her commitment to international cooperation and nature conservation has been evident in many of EUROPARC’s key initiatives and partnerships.

As she moves forward to new opportunities, we extend our sincere gratitude for her contributions and wish her every success in her future professional and personal endeavours.

On behalf of the EUROPARC Federation Council,

Michael Hošek
President

Please find below a message from Carol to the EUROPARC membership.

“After almost 17 wonderful years the time has come for me to say my goodbyes to the EUROPARC Federation. It has been my privilege to support, represent, advocate and lobby for your interests as well as share in your joys and challenges. Protected Areas are much more in the forefront of policy in Europe, and with high visibility within European institutions, thanks to our collective endeavours, than when I arrived in 2008.

To members across the network, I cannot thank you enough for your generous hospitality over the years, in the many parks and places I have had the great joy to visit. These treasured memories will stay with me. A special thanks goes to my leadership team colleagues in the Directorate who will ensure a steady hand as EUROPARC transitions to a new phase in its development.

We have all come a long way together, through financial crisis, covid pandemic and war on our doorstep, the creation of the European Nature Academy, the success of the Sustainable Tourism Charter and Transboundary programmes, the development of Healthy Parks Healthy People and the ever inspirational Junior Rangers and Youth+ are all things we can be proud of as a network. The unfailing camaraderie of Parks people across political and national boundaries and the fantastic conferences (and parties) are a testament to how we have shared, learned ad worked together for a better future for our nature and our people and I have been blessed to have been a part of that.

I wish everyone well in all your future endeavours.”

You can discover all members of the EUROPARC Directorate here.

With deep sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Hans Bibelriether on 18.02.2025, at the age of 91.

Condolence Message from EUROPARC Federation on the Passing of Dr. Hans Bibelriether

With deep sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Hans Bibelriether, a visionary in nature conservation and a foundational figure in the history of the EUROPARC Federation. His name is inextricably linked to the creation of EUROPARC, and his legacy continues to shape our work today.

Dr. Bibelriether was a pioneer in Protected Area management in Europe. As the first director of the Bavarian Forest National Park, he championed the principle of “Let nature be nature,” a philosophy that has shaped the approach to National Parks and wilderness areas across Europe. More than that, he was one of the leaders of his generation who recognized not only the value, but the absolute necessity of establishing nature conservation in Europe on the basis of international cooperation. In the 1990s he realised that a window of opportunity was opening with the reunification of Germany that had to be used to establish and then build up as many Protected Areas as possible in Germany, but also in the new Eastern Bloc countries.

His leadership extended beyond borders—he played a pivotal role in the development of EUROPARC Federation, serving as Vice President and later as President, tirelessly advocating for transboundary cooperation and the role of Protected Areas in nature conservation. His unwavering dedication and belief in the power of nature will continue to inspire generations of conservationists. 

Furthermore, during the 1990’s and 2000’s, together with council members Aitken Clark, Dr Patrizia Rossi, Michael Starrett, Erica Stanciu and Thomas Hansson, Dr Hans Bibelriether guided the Federation through expansion of membership and staffing. It was during this period, that an office in Brussels was opened and the headquarters were moved to Regensburg. In addition, they presided over a period of intense project work, such as the hugely ambitious and successful Partnership & Exchange Programme 1994-1999 and the Phare – European Expertise Exchange Project, from 1997-2001. These projects embodied the ideal of international exchange across the network, fondly remembered by many members.

The EUROPARC community mourns the loss of a colleague, mentor, and friend, but his legacy will live on in the landscapes he helped to protect and the institutions he helped to build. We will carry forward the torch of his ideas, ensuring that his vision of strong, cooperative nature conservation continues to guide our efforts.

On behalf of the EUROPARC Directorate, Council and the membership, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

Michael Hošek,
President, EUROPARC Federation

If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Federation and Dr. Hans Bibelriether’s role, we warmly invite you to discover our 40 years brochure and the 50th anniversary storybook.