We are excited to welcome Galicica National Park to the EUROPARC Network! This new member is one of Europe’s richest biodiversity hotspots. Learn about its conservation priorities, community partnerships, and cross-border cooperation efforts as it joins our Protected Area network.

Welcome to Galicica National Park

We are proud to welcome Galicica National Park to our network of Protected Areas. Situated between Lakes Ohrid and Prespa on the border of North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece, Galicica is internationally recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, rare habitats, and long-standing conservation tradition.

As the Park joins us, we are excited to present its key management priorities, recent conservation achievements, and ongoing collaborations that support sustainable development and nature protection in the region.

Top Management Priorities for Galicica National Park

The Public Institution Galicica National Park (PIGNP) has clearly defined priorities that guide its long-term management strategy. Over the coming years, the Park is focused on four core goals:

1. Strengthening Nature Protection and Conservation

Preserving the Park’s extraordinary natural values is the highest priority. This includes protecting endemic species, safeguarding habitats, and addressing ecological threats such as habitat succession.

2. Enhancing Recreational Opportunities

Galicica aims to provide safe and sustainable outdoor recreation, ensuring that visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing, and other activities without compromising ecosystem integrity.

3. Increasing Environmental Awareness

Through education programmes, guided tours, publications, and community outreach, the park works to raise public awareness of ecological issues and the importance of conservation.

4. Supporting Local Livelihoods

PIGNP aims to help local communities benefit from the park’s natural and cultural resources-through sustainable tourism, traditional practices, and employment opportunities-ensuring that conservation and community wellbeing progress hand-in-hand.

Exceptional Biodiversity: Recent Conservation Efforts and Findings

Galicica is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in Europe, home to thousands of plant and animal species.

A Snapshot of Galicica’s Biodiversity

• 63+ plant communities and 37 habitat types
• 1,700+ vascular plant taxa, including 13 steno-endemic species
• 3,300+ animal species, with 68 steno-endemics
• 23 globally threatened species
• Hundreds of species protected under national, EU, or international law

Addressing Habitat Succession in High Mountain Pastures

(c) Red deer-Cervus elaphus, Galicica NP

More than 7,000 hectares of Galicica are secondary habitats-mostly high mountain pastures. Due to declining traditional grazing and mowing practices, these areas are experiencing rapid succession.

Because it is difficult to motivate communities to return to traditional livestock farming, the park is implementing measures to support populations of large wild herbivores. These animals help maintain open habitats and slow down succession, protecting biodiversity that depends on these landscapes.

Targeted Conservation in Juniper Forests (Habitat 9560)

Over the past two years, PIGNP carried out major interventions in the priority habitat 9560 – Endemic forests with Juniperus spp., including:

• Preventing forest succession
• Supporting natural regeneration via afforestation
• Establishing permanent monitoring plots

These actions strengthen the long-term resilience and ecological functioning of Grecian juniper forests, one of Galicica’s most important habitats.

Long-Term Biodiversity Monitoring Programme

The park is implementing a comprehensive programme that tracks changes in key habitats and species.

Habitats monitored:

• 9560* Endemic juniper forests
• 9270 Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis
• 91E0* Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior

Monitored plant species:

• Centaurea tomorosii
• Nepeta ernesti-mayeri
• Sideritis raeseri

Monitored animal species:
(selection of 11 monitored taxa)

• Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo)
• Macedonian newt (Triturus macedonicus)
• Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica)
• Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus)
• European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
• Bombina taxonomy (yellow-bellied toad)
• Other key species tracked due to ecological or conservation importance

This structured monitoring ensures early detection of threats, timely action, and long-term scientific understanding of ecosystem trends.

Cross-Border Cooperation With Neighboring Protected Areas

Because Galicica is located at the intersection of North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece, cross-border collaboration is essential.

Regional and International Partnerships

• PIGNP regularly invites representatives from other national parks in North Macedonia to exchange knowledge.
• In the early 2000s, Galicica initiated a memorandum of cooperation with Albania’s Prespa National Park. Although it is currently inactive due to administrative changes, the foundation for cross-border collaboration remains strong.
• PIGNP maintains regular informal cooperation with NGOs across all three countries, creating a productive network for ecological research, habitat protection, and community projects.

These collaborations foster a shared approach to managing transboundary ecosystems, including Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa basins-two globally important natural areas.

(c) From Galicica to Lake Ohrid, Galicica NP

A Strong Future for Galicica National Park

As Galicica National Park joins our network, we look forward to highlighting its conservation achievements, supporting its sustainable development goals, and promoting its role as a model for biodiversity protection in Southeast Europe.

With its outstanding natural richness, dedicated management team, and strong community and international partnerships, Galicica is an example of how Protected Areas can thrive in the 21st century.

At the EUROPARC Conference 2025, Tiina Hakkarainen Manager, Corporate Relations, Parks & Wildlife Finland presented the Finnish Nature Day! Learn more about this initiative that aims to bring nature and people closer together again.

Article written by Tiina Hakkarainen.

A Day for Nature and People!

Finnish Nature Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of August. This special day dedicated to nature offers concrete ways to enjoy the outdoors together. Positive nature experiences – such as spending a night in a forest hotel or enjoying art in a natural setting – increase people’s appreciation of nature and their willingness to protect it. Finnish Nature Day receives wide media attention and provides an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of nature to broad audiences. Social media also fills with greetings and beautiful outdoor photos shared in honour of the day.

Photo: Metsähallitus/ Saara Lavi

Finland is the first country in the world to fly its national flag for nature. The aim of the day is to increase appreciation for nature and strengthen the relationship Finns have with the natural world in our increasingly urbanised society.

In Finland, many national celebration days come with traditional pastries that reflect the season and cultural heritage. A popular way to celebrate Finnish Nature Day is to bake a blueberry pie using berries picked from the wild.

Finnish Nature Day is not only a celebration – it also raises awareness of the importance of nature and strengthens people’s desire to protect it. When people recognise the value of nature and celebrate it, a positive attitude towards conservation follows naturally.

History of Finnish Nature Day

Finnish Nature Day was celebrated for the first time in August 2013. The last Saturday of August soon became the established date of the celebration, marking the end of summer and the beginning of harvest season in Finland.

The day’s steadily growing popularity and rapid rise to the ranks of Finland’s important national observances show that nature holds a central place in Finnish culture – something truly worth celebrating and flying the flag for.

From the very beginning, the day has had a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. Even during the year Finland celebrated its 100th anniversary – when many events were particularly festive and choir concerts were held in all national parks – the mood remained open and joyful. From the outset, everyone has been encouraged to celebrate nature in their own way.

Finnish Nature Day Logo

How the Celebration Is Organised

Finnish Nature Day is coordinated by a steering group with representatives from organisations related to nature, the environment, outdoor activities and public health, from across the country. The day has its own website that provides information, tips for organising events, and materials for day-care centres, schools and the media. In the early years, public excursions organised for Finnish Nature Day were collected into a shared event calendar, and event organisers stayed in touch through a dedicated Facebook group. Over time, the day has grown into an established tradition, and coordination is now needed less than before.

On Finnish Nature Day, public events and local nature trips are organised, people hug trees, take part in nature volunteering, and sleep a night outdoors. Excursions are arranged by various nature and outdoor organisations, friends’ associations of national parks and partner enterprises. The day can also be celebrated simply by heading outdoors alone or with friends to enjoy a campfire snack and the atmosphere. For many Finns, this has been the most meaningful way to mark the occasion.

The day brings together government representatives, citizens, companies and organisations in a cheerful and unifying spirit. Opposition and political tensions are set aside. A few simple elements – such as flag flying, the official celebratory pastry (blueberry pie), and a shared social media hashtag – tie the relaxed festivities together.

Photo: Metsähallitus/ Ulla Keituri

Inspiring Europe to Celebrate Nature

In Finland, the Priodiversity LIFE project is currently underway, aiming to halt biodiversity loss. The project brings together a wide and diverse group of committed stakeholders who, together, have the potential to find the most effective and cost-efficient means to stop biodiversity loss in Finland. One of the project’s goals is to expand the celebration of a dedicated nature day across the EU with the support of Members of the European Parliament. Finnish Nature Day has grown into a beloved tradition, and now we hope to bring this idea to the whole of Europe. The Priodiversity LIFE project is coordinated by Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.

Prodiversity logo

Imagine a day when nature receives the recognition it deserves – when national leaders speak for nature, and people across the continent head outdoors to celebrate the forests, lakes and landscapes that make their home countries unique. If this were to take place all across Europe, nature conservation would gain significant visibility.

A suitable date could be, for example, European Day of Parks on 24 May. EUROPARC coordinates this celebration of Europe’s Parks and Protected Areas, inviting visitors everywhere to spend time in nature – or another day that best fits the climate and seasonal conditions of your own country.

We now invite you to join us: let’s make Nature Day a shared European celebration!

More information:

Tiina Hakkarainen, Manager, Corporate Relations, Parks & Wildlife Finland

Metsähallitus logo

Finnish Nature Day: https://suomenluonnonpaiva.fi/finnish-nature-day-a-flag-flying-day-for-nature/

Priodiversity LIFE: https://www.metsa.fi/en/project/priodiversity-eng/

Last 19 November, we were proud to celebrate Protected Areas from across Europe that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainable tourism, earning their place as European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Awardees.

Bringing Protected Area excellence to Brussels!

The award ceremony for the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) took place in the European Parliament in Brussels. We were honoured to be hosted by MEP Giuseppe Antoci, who was awarded the Alfred Toepfer Medal in 2016 for his extraordinary courage in defending nature against organised crime. He emphasised that initiatives, such as the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, demonstrate Europe’s capacity and responsibility to advance sustainable tourism, safeguard biodiversity, and support resilient local communities.

We also had the privilege of welcoming two insightful keynote contributions:

• “Sustainable tourism and nature conservation: challenges and opportunities”

by Andrea Vettori, Head of the Nature Conservation Unit, European Commission – DG Environment

• “Towards a new EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism”

by Ramunė Genzbigelytė-Venturi, Policy Officer for Tourism, European Commission – DG MOVE

Get to know the winners!

This year, 24 Protected Areas were awarded the ECST. This includes 6 new awardees and 18 that have successfully re-applied to the ECST. You can virtually travel through these areas here:

The newly awarded Parks are:

• Antola Regional Natural Park, Italy
• Emilia Western Parks, Italy
• Gauja National Park, Latvia
• Monti Lucretili Natural Regional Park, Italy
• Serralada Litoral Park, Catalonia, Spain
• Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the Netherlands

Get to know all the awardees here!

During the ceremony, the awardees had the opportunity to showcase best practices successfully implemented in their territories, demonstrating the diversity and innovation behind sustainable tourism across Europe. Presentations included:

• Developing and managing the GR60 – Magic Mountains Long-Distance Trail

By João Carlos Pinho, Executive Coordinator, ADRIMAG / Montanhas Mágicas. The Park noted:

The Charter has proved to be of utmost importance in defining the main strategic orientations and the main actions to be developed, for the whole territory, regarding sustainable tourism development.

• Creating a Unified Visual Identity for the Soomaa National Park Charter Area

By Aino Viinapuu, Board Member, Green Riverland Partnership

• Implementing Sustainable Mobility with Shared E-Bikes in Weerribben-Wieden National Park

By Sharon Jagt, Project Manager for Sustainability and Economy, Weerribben-Wieden National Park

• ECST Forum as the Main Tool for Integrating Sustainable Tourism into the Management of the Julian Alps Transboundary MaB UNESCO Biosphere

By Stefano Santi, Director of Prealpi Giulie Nature Park, and Tit Potočnik, Director of Triglav National Park. They said:

ECST is a special journey that allows us to connect parks, local communities, and tourists beyond borders, honoring nature along a shared path of sustainability.

• Park and Operators: Building a Sustainable Future Together

By Franco Locatelli, ECST Responsible – Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park. He remarked:

The ECST represents a great opportunity for our Park, and it is therefore an honor to receive this recognition. In recent years, thanks to the ECST, we have built an important network with local operators and other institutions. It has also provided a valuable opportunity for professional and educational growth for our members, as well as for raising awareness about sustainable tourism.

As this year’s celebration came to a close, heartfelt thanks went to all who joined us at the European Parliament in Brussels. Their presence and engagement strengthened the shared commitment to building a more sustainable future.

Warm congratulations to all the awarded Protected Areas for their outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing sustainable tourism across Europe.

Discover the photo album here:

Learn more about the ECST!

Nature is Good Medicine

The Healing Power for Nurses, Caregivers, and Patients – Examples from General Care and Dementia Initiatives

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a common challenge, particularly for those in caregiving professions such as nurses and caregivers for individuals living with various health conditions, including dementia. The toll of chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders like depression and burnout.

Recognizing this, various initiatives have emerged to leverage the healing power of nature as a remedy for stress relief and mental well-being.

Credits: Lesný kúpeľ KK

One notable example is the collaboration between the AGEL Levoča Hospital, which is linked with hospitals in Kežmarok and Krompachy, Slovakia, and the Forest Pedagogy NGO. This partnership aims to provide forest bath therapy to nurses, allowing them to immerse themselves in a serene natural environment. The calming effects of nature not only help reduce stress but also promote physical and mental health, enabling caregivers to recharge and better support their patients. This initiative is particularly crucial as healthcare workers have faced unprecedented levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By cultivating a stronger connection to nature, this initiative not only enhanced the well-being of healthcare professionals—who participated in interviews after each session to assess the effects—but also promotes a holistic approach to healthcare. In 2025, an analysis of a new short form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The POMS is a widely-applied measure for the assessment of an individual’s mood. The results on the impact of forest bathing sessions for the participants was extremely positive.

Logo of Lesny Kupel

The curriculum is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and created by the Slovak Association of Forest Bath.

This Good Practice was shared within the Interreg Europe GREENHEALTH project. Here EUROPARC Federation participates as project partner for Capacity Building and Communication and counts on the expertise of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe Commission.

© Naturpark Sparbach/Käfer

Furthermore, our case studies highlight the Nature Park Sparbach, which has implemented the “Miteinander unterwegs” project.

This initiative involves the municipalities in the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald (Mauerbach, Gablitz, Purkersdorf, Tullnerbach and Wolfsgraben), who joined forces under the “Wir 5 im Wienerwald” network.

We spoke about this initiative at its early stages, during a webinar in July 2023, and things have developed since then. The project invites individuals affected by dementia and their caregivers to explore the beauty of nature together. As part of the “Wir 5 im Wienerwald” network, it fosters collaboration among stakeholders, institutions, and families impacted by dementia. By providing peer-support spaces and training on coping strategies, the project aims to alleviate the emotional burdens faced by caregivers while enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.

© Naturpark Sparbach/Käfer

If you need more information on the initiative described in this case study, you can visit the article (in German) by Susanne Käfer, Headmaster of the Nature Park Office Sparbach and which was released in the journal Green Care, published by the Competence Centre for Green Pedagogy at the University College of Agricultural and Environmental Education (HAUP), Vienna, Austria

These examples highlight the profound impact that nature can have on mental well-being, particularly for those under significant stress. By creating opportunities for individuals to connect with the natural world, we can promote healing, resilience, and a greater sense of community.

Do you have stories or wish to engage with Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe? You are welcome to contact us and let us know about you and we will be right back!