We are delighted to welcome Rohkunborri National Park as our newest member. Located in northern Norway, between the cities of Narvik and Tromsø, it brings one of the region’s wildest and most varied landscapes to our community.

A landscape of extremes

Ida S Bjerka

Rohkunborri covers a remarkable range of habitats. Snow- capped mountains and glaciers give way to a spectacular canyon, while vast wetlands and ancient forests provide sanctuary for plants and animals. Today, the park protects one of the wildest areas in the region, safeguarding natural habitats that have changed little over the centuries.

Rohkunborri is a habitat for wolverine, lynx and bear. In addition, golden eagle, rough-legged buzzard, gyrfalcon and kestrel nest there.

A living cultural landscape

People have left their mark here since the Stone Age, and reindeer have long been part of the landscape, shaping it over generations. Today, both Norwegian and Swedish Sámi herders continue to graze their reindeer within the park.

The Sámi connection with this area is deep and enduring, and it is reflected in how the park is run. Both Norwegian and Swedish Sámi reindeer interests are represented on the governing board, placing them at the heart of decision-making. The board and the park administration work closely with Sámi interests on all relevant matters, recognising that open and constructive dialogue is essential to supporting Sámi use of the area, protecting cultural heritage and safeguarding natural values.

Ida S Bjerka

Meeting the challenges of a changing climate

Tor Erling

As a northern Protected Area, Rohkunborri is already feeling the effects of climate change, particularly through increased precipitation and more frequent flood events. The park is responding by building new infrastructure and upgrading existing facilities, both inside and outside its boundaries, to a robust standard. The aim is to reduce future maintenance needs and costs while keeping the park accessible and resilient.

Looking ahead

Rohkunborri joins us with a clear appetite for collaboration. The park team is keen to learn from colleagues across Europe, particularly on climate adaptation and visitor management, and to share its own experience of Sámi co-governance and robust infrastructure in a challenging northern climate.

Welcome to EUROPARC! We look forward to the knowledge, perspective and partnership this collaboration will bring to our Network!

While geographically different, cross-border Protected Areas face remarkably similar operational pressures. In the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Mountains, historical drainage changed the natural water balance, which led to falling groundwater levels and degraded peatlands.

Further north, in the Pasvik-Inari Transboundary Area, park managers address a combination of rapid Arctic climate impacts and regional shifts in cooperation. Norwegian and Finnish park authorities restructured their long-standing collaboration into a bilateral framework to maintain continuous environmental monitoring across the border.

Meanwhile, in the Alpine region of Binntal Nature Park and Ossola Protected Area (Veglia-Devero), park authorities balance different administrative frameworks across national borders. In Switzerland, nature parks operate primarily through regional consensus and promotion without direct regulatory powers over land management. Conversely, Italian regional parks enforce strict legal mandates across all environmental sectors. These administrative differences require creative solutions to align protection efforts.

These complex situations highlight a clear reality: when ecosystems cross borders, isolated park management actions fail to deliver long-term results.

Technical Solutions for Transboundary Nature Conservation

(c) Peatbogs, Krkonose/Karkonosze Transboundary Area

To protect these connected landscapes, partner organisations across all three regions implement direct technical, scientific, and operational solutions:

• Harmonised Ecological Monitoring: Czech and Polish partners develop a shared peatland inventory and standardised “peatland cards” to identify priority restoration sites[Project: CZ.11.01.02/00/23_011/0000161 Importance, change and practical protection of peatbogs]. Similarly, Finnish and Norwegian authorities run joint monitoring programmes, including non-invasive hair-trap studies for brown bears and coordinated water quality tracking in shared river catchments.
• Active Habitat Restoration: Monitoring data directly informs on-the-ground action. In Krkonoše/Karkonosze, managers build small wooden dams to block drainage channels and re-wet degraded peatlands.
• Systematic Climate Adaptation: Through the Interreg Aurora-funded CLAP project (2024–2026), Arctic managers test climate-adapted trails, electric maintenance equipment, and resilient campsite designs to keep visitors safe while protecting fragile habitats.
• Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer and “Quiet Zones”: Italian managers in Veglia Devero adopted Swiss-inspired “Quiet Zones” to protect wintering and nesting wildlife from human disturbance. Both parks now work to integrate these Italian wildlife protection areas directly into official Swiss topological mapping. Additionally, through the joint MINERALP project, both parks conduct cross-border training for park guides and celebrate their shared mineral heritage.

Key Lessons for Future Conservation Programmes

The combined experiences of these Protected Areas demonstrate three essential principles for transboundary nature conservation:

1. Ecosystems do not follow administrative borders. Managing them effectively requires harmonised data and shared decision-making frameworks, even when legal systems differ.

2. Successful long-term management depends on local involvement. Incorporating Sámi representation and cultural guidelines in the north, alongside local alpine farmers and stakeholders in the Alps, ensures traditional knowledge and local needs guide conservation priorities.

3. Building strong, day-to-day working relationships between park administrations turns project-based cooperation into lasting environmental protection.

By sharing knowledge and coordinating action across national borders, European park partners demonstrate that nature conservation achieves the greatest impact when it remains connected, shared, and boundary-free. Explore more about how we support park networking across Europe on our EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programme page.

                    Here is your chance to become an accredited Transboundary Area:

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We are delighted to announce the winners of the STAR Awards 2026, recognising outstanding tourism businesses that demonstrate excellence in sustainable tourism within ECST Protected Areas.

STAR Awards: Celebrating Sustainable Tourism Development

This year’s winners have shown exceptional commitment to conservation, local development, environmental education, and sustainable business practices, contributing to the goals of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

STAR Award Overall Winner

Società Agricola Montagna Verde

Located in Appennino Tosco Emiliano National Park, Italy

Activities: Accommodation, restaurant and food services, environmental education centre, and farming.

Awarded First Place and STAR Award Overall Winner, Società Agricola Montagna Verde was recognised for its outstanding integrated approach to biodiversity conservation, rural regeneration, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and local employment creation.

Picture Credit: Barbara Maffei

STAR Award Runner-Up

Ipalan

Located in Garajonay National Park, Spain

Activities: Nature and cultural guiding services and incoming tourism agency.

Awarded Second Place and STAR Award Runner-Up, Ipalan was recognised for its exemplary engagement of visitors in conservation activities, its strong collaboration with the Protected Area, and its commitment to environmental education and ecosystem restoration.

Picture credit: Ipalan

STAR Award Honourable Mention

Bodega Vinculo Serrano

Located in Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park, Spain

Activities: Agricultural producer.

Awarded Third Place and STAR Award Honourable Mention, Bodega Vinculo Serrano was recognised for its contribution to regenerative agriculture, landscape conservation, sustainable rural development, and the preservation of traditional farming systems.

Picture Credit: Bodega Vinculo Serrano

The Star Awards recognise businesses that deliver tangible benefits for nature, local communities, and visitors. The Star Awards 2026 winners demonstrate how tourism businesses can play a vital role in supporting Protected Areas while contributing to resilient local economies. They will officially be awarded during the ECST Award Ceremony in Brussels later this year.

Learn more about EUROPARC’s Programme ‘European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas’.

The EUROPARC Federation is delighted to welcome Naturpark Beverin as a new member. Located in the Swiss Alps, the park unites nine municipalities that work together to protect nature, preserve cultural landscapes, and strengthen rural communities.

Naturpark Beverin shows how biodiversity conservation and regional development can succeed together. Its projects restore valuable habitats, support traditional farming, and create lasting benefits for people who live and work in the region.

Protecting cultural landscapes

Traditional alpine landscapes define the identity of Naturpark Beverin. The park actively preserves these landscapes through practical conservation and close cooperation with local farmers.

One important project restores historic dry-stone walls. These walls mark pasture boundaries, protect slopes from wind and avalanches, and provide shelter for many plants, insects, reptiles, and small mammals.

The park also uses goats and Engadin sheep to restore species-rich dry meadows. Carefully managed grazing reduces scrub encroachment and brings abandoned alpine pastures back into use. At the same time, Naturpark Beverin supports the production and marketing of regional sheep and goat products, helping mountain farming remain economically viable.

Restoring habitats for nature and climate

Naturpark Beverin invests in large-scale habitat restoration that benefits biodiversity and climate resilience.

The Äbi river restoration is one of Switzerland’s largest river revitalisation projects. The park is widening and relocating more than one kilometre of the Hinterrhein to recreate natural river dynamics. As a result, floodplain habitats will recover and native wildlife will gain new space to thrive.

Another flagship project focuses on the Nursera raised bog. By closing old drainage ditches, the park has stopped the peatland from drying out. This restoration improves water storage, protects rare species, and strengthens an important natural carbon sink.

Supporting people and local businesses

Healthy landscapes need thriving communities. For this reason, Naturpark Beverin combines conservation with sustainable regional development.

The Val Schons commercial zone creates opportunities for local businesses and workshops. It supports jobs, encourages regional value creation, and helps reduce out-migration while respecting the surrounding landscape.

The park also works with a wide network of regional partners. It supports product development, promotes local resources, and organises volunteer projects with farmers. In addition, schools take part in outdoor learning programmes that help young people discover nature and cultural heritage firsthand.

Managing tourism through partnership

Tourism plays an important role in the region, and Naturpark Beverin works to balance visitor experiences with habitat protection.

Together with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, the park is developing visitor monitoring and management tools. Rangers, tourism organisations, municipalities, and cantonal authorities all contribute to the project. Clear information, positive signage, and digital solutions help guide visitors while reducing pressure on sensitive wildlife areas.

A strong foundation for collaboration

Partnership is central to the success of Naturpark Beverin. The park’s nine municipalities form the foundation of its governance, while organisations such as Pro Natura, Ranger Ruinaulta, hunting associations, and local heritage groups contribute valuable knowledge and support.

We warmly welcome Naturpark Beverin to the EUROPARC Federation and look forward to working together for Europe’s protected landscapes and the communities that care for them.