Welcome AlbNatyra to the EUROPARC Network

We are pleased to warmly welcome AlbNatyra as a new member of the EUROPARC Federation. AlbNatyra is a leading Albanian non-governmental organisation dedicated to nature conservation, sustainable land use, and community engagement, with a strong focus on Shebenik National Park and surrounding protected areas.

For more than two decades, AlbNatyra has worked at the intersection of biodiversity protection and local livelihoods, supporting protected area management, empowering local communities, and ensuring that conservation efforts remain socially inclusive and culturally meaningful. Their work aligns closely with EUROPARC’s mission to connect people, nature, and place across Europe.

Below, we introduce AlbNatyra’s work through a short interview that highlights their experience in youth engagement, sustainable grazing, protected area management, and wildlife conservation.

Engaging Youth in Conservation at Shebenik National Park

What strategies have been most effective in motivating local youth to participate in conservation activities within Shebenik National Park?

Our most effective strategies have focused on hands-on learning and creating a strong sense of belonging. Through summer schools, citizen-science expeditions, and outdoor workshops, young people gain practical skills in biodiversity monitoring while developing a direct connection with the landscape.

We also collaborate closely with teachers and schools so that conservation activities become part of a continuous learning process rather than isolated events. In addition, involving young people in community discussions has increased their motivation, ownership, and long-term engagement in conservation.

Supporting Shepherds and Sustainable Grazing

What challenges do shepherds currently face, and how does AlbNatyra help ensure that grazing remains both sustainable and culturally important?

Shepherds today face shrinking grazing areas, increased interactions with wildlife, and changes in traditional pasture management caused by forest succession and limited institutional support. These pressures threaten both livelihoods and long-standing pastoral traditions.

AlbNatyra addresses these challenges by facilitating dialogue between shepherds and the Regional Agency of Protected Areas (RAPA), documenting traditional ecological knowledge, and promoting management measures that keep key pastures open. Through meetings, field visits, and awareness activities, we support grazing practices that balance conservation needs with cultural heritage.

To help keep pastoralism attractive to younger generations, we have also supported several shepherds with eco-tourism training and provided photovoltaic panels to improve living conditions in mountain areas and enable them to host visitors.

Strengthening Park Management and Decision-Making

You are heavily involved in supporting the implementation of Management Plan measures and METT assessments. Can you describe a specific instance where your support made a measurable difference?

We provide continuous training for rangers and have established a Volunteer paMonitoring Group that helps identify gaps in patrol coverage and emerging habitat threats. Each year, we assess the implementation of the Shebenik National Park Management Plan and review progress made by RAPA.

By offering practical, targeted recommendations, our support has contributed to improved enforcement, increased operational efficiency, and stronger alignment with priority conservation measures outlined in the Management Plan.

Wildlife Monitoring and Stakeholder Collaboration

What recent monitoring findings or stakeholder discussions have had the greatest influence on conservation actions in the park?

One of the most significant recent findings has been the confirmed presence of the Balkan lynx in the Shebenik core zone, alongside increased activity of other key species such as roe deer, wolves, and bears. These results provided strong evidence for the importance of maintaining quiet zones and limiting harmful infrastructure development.

Discussions with RAPA, local guides, and community members have also highlighted concerns related to riverbed extraction and pasture degradation. These stakeholder insights have guided our advocacy efforts, improved seasonal patrol planning, and shaped targeted awareness activities.

Looking Ahead

AlbNatyra’s commitment to evidence-based conservation, community participation, and protected area excellence makes them a valuable addition to the EUROPARC Federation. We look forward to collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives that strengthen protected areas across Europe.

Welcome to the network, AlbNatyra!