The European Day of Parks is the only day dedicated to celebrating Protected Areas and all they do. Join in on the celebrations this year around the theme ‘Connected by Nature’!

About the European Day of Parks

The European Day of Parks (EDoP) takes place each year on 24 May, bringing Protected Areas and communities across Europe together to celebrate the value and beauty of our natural heritage. Since its launch by the EUROPARC Federation in 1999, this day has become a landmark for parks, nature organisations and local partners to raise awareness and connect people with nature.

The 2026 theme: Connected by Nature

In 2026, the theme “Connected by Nature” highlights the importance of ecological and social linkages. From wildlife corridors and linked habitats to active partnerships between people and landscapes. Parks and Protected Areas do not exist in isolation, and this year’s celebration invites everyone to explore and strengthen the lifelines that support nature throughout Europe.

You can be part of this! Whether you are part of a park authority, community group, school, NGO or simply passionate about nature, the official EDoP Guidelines for Parks are available to help you plan and organise activities around the 24 May. These can range from guided nature walks and educational workshops to community gatherings and awareness campaigns — all tailored to reflect how your local landscapes are connected by nature.

Join the celebration!

Celebrating EDoP is all about getting people out into nature. That is why EUROPARC invites you to organise local events and register them on our website. This will help us showcase how Protected Areas from across Europe are coming together to celebrate this special day! Are you looking for some inspiration? Our Guidelines for Parks will provide you with loads of ideas for events, as well as background information on the theme of this year. Of course, to help the promotion, you can also download the official banner in your language.

Register your event!                         Guidelines for Parks                      Get the official banner

Is the official banner not available in your language yet? No problem! Just write the translation to the following email address, and we will be sure to create it for you:

We look forward to seeing your events! All information is available here.

The latest version of EUROPARC’s journal Protected Areas In-Sight, features inspiring examples from Nature Restoration activities in Europe.

Protected Areas and the Nature Restoration Regulation

Every year, the EUROPARC Federation publishes its journal ‘Protected Areas In-Sight’. It aims to inspire its readers with success stories from across the EUROPARC Network. This issue of the Protected Areas In-Sight explores the role of Protected Areas in the implementation, and success, of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).

Nature for People, People for Nature

Following the theme of the 2025 Conference ‘Nature for People, People for Nature’, the journal looks at Nature Restoration in and beyond Protected Areas from three different, but connected perspectives: Practical, Financial and Social:

• How can restoration measures be implemented?
• How can we ensure addequate financial resources for restoration activities?
• How can we ensure broad sociatal support?

To answer these questions, the EUROPARC Directorate collected stories and experiences from across our members in Europe. Travel to Ireland, to learn how a new approach to restoration has developed a payment scheme for farmers, or discover how Volunteering Days are putting people at the heart of nature restoration in Lithuania. Furthermore, you will find articles from our projects Horizon Europe NaturaConnect, Interreg Euro-MED MPA4Change and LIFE PAME-Europe, looking at the capacities and data needed to make the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation a success.

Exclusive insights from DG Environment

However, that’s not all. Readers will find exclusive insights into the Nature Restoration Regulation, it’s implementation, and the role of Protected Areas through an article written by Andrea Vettori, Head of Unit at Directorate General for Environment at the European Commission. Andrea states:

The Nature Restoration Regulation provides the missing link between existing nature, water, and climate policies, allowing us to build true synergies across sectors.

The examples in the Protected Areas In-Sight prove that Protected Areas are well placed to turn this policy into practice.

Ready to get inspired? Then dive right in! The Protected Areas In-Sight is available in English, French and German:

English                  French                 German

We would like to thank all authors that have contributed to this edition of the Protected Areas In-Sight.

EUROPARC members will receive a printed copy through post in the upcoming weeks. Are you not a member, but would you also like to receive a copy? Then reach out to EUROPARC’s Communications & Operations Manager Esther Bossink. Discover previous edition of the publication here.

The Active Tourism Coalition, bringing together 20 European organisations representing active travel, has addressed Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, to highlight the strategic role that Active Tourism can play in the future of European tourism.

Active Tourism refers to tourism based on accessible physical activity for mobility, recreation and leisure, including cycling, walking and hiking. It enables visitors to experience destinations at a human scale, with low environmental impact, high social value and strong connections to local landscapes, cultures and communities. The sector already demonstrates significant economic relevance, with cycling tourism generating an estimated €44 billion annually in Europe in 2012, and adventure travel representing a global market of around one trillion US dollars in 2025.

The Coalition underlines that Active Tourism offers a concrete and scalable solution to strengthen Europe’s tourism competitiveness, reinforce Brand Europe and address unbalanced tourism flows. It calls for Active Tourism to be positioned at the heart of European tourism policy through four key priorities.

• First, the Coalition urges European and national institutions to recognise Active Tourism as a cornerstone of sustainable tourism. This includes integrating cycling, walking and hiking into destination mobility strategies, multimodal transport planning and last-mile solutions, as well as investing in monitoring the social, environmental and economic impacts of Active Tourism.
• Second, the Coalition recommends establishing Active Tourism as a flagship of Brand Europe by showcasing Europe’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage and extensive long-distance route networks, such as EuroVelo, Greenways, E-Paths and GR footpaths. This positioning should be supported by open and high-quality data integrated into European tourism data hubs, alongside recognition of relevant certification schemes and training programmes.
• Third, the Coalition highlights the need for integrated governance frameworks that bring together local communities, destination management organisations, tourism operators, non-governmental organisations, land managers, transport operators, media and outdoor sport organisations. Such cooperation is essential to deliver Active Tourism that protects natural and cultural landscapes while supporting local economies and communities.
• Finally, the Coalition calls for Active Tourism to be prioritised in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), with dedicated investment in long- and short-distance cycling routes, including EuroVelo, hiking trails and cross-border tourism infrastructure.

Wallonie Tourism | Photo: EuroVelo

The Active Tourism Coalition has expressed its readiness to support the European Commission in developing these priorities and to engage in further dialogue on how Active Tourism can strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s tourism sector, enhance its international brand and contribute to more balanced and sustainable tourism development. As Laurianne Krid, Chief Executive Officer at the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), underlines:

Active tourism should be the cornerstone of the European Sustainable Tourism Strategy. By encouraging tourists to move through regions by bike or on foot, it supports healthier lifestyles, low-carbon travel, and stronger local economies.

For more information, please contact Agathe Daudibon, EuroVelo and Cycling Tourism Director: a.daudibon @ ecf.com

EUROPARC is pleased to welcome National Park Shar Mountain in North-Macedonia as a new member of our network of Protected Areas. Located in one of the most remarkable mountain regions of Southeast Europe, the park is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, rich biodiversity, and strong links to traditional land-use practices.

Since its proclamation, National Park Shar Mountain has been working steadily to strengthen nature conservation while engaging local communities and managing growing visitor pressure. Below, the park shares its key priorities, achievements, and future ambitions.

Conservation Priorities: Protecting Habitats and Reducing Pressures

The main conservation priorities of National Park Shar Mountain focus on:

• Protecting valuable habitats and species
• Promoting sustainable forest and pasture management
• Reducing human pressures on sensitive mountain ecosystems

Like many large mountain Protected Areas, the park faces ongoing challenges. These include scattered waste, illegal dumping sites, unauthorized logging, and illegal constructions. Addressing these pressures is a core part of the park’s daily work.

Over the past four years, significant progress has been made. Ranger patrols have been established, cooperation with inspection bodies and local authorities has improved, and targeted actions for prevention and monitoring are now in place. Together, these efforts support the gradual restoration of affected areas.

Restoring Forests and Building Ecological Resilience

One of the park’s most important achievements is its work on forest habitat restoration.

Through targeted restoration measures, preventive management, and strengthened field monitoring, degraded forest areas are beginning to recover. These actions are improving forest structure and increasing ecological resilience, helping ecosystems better withstand future pressures.

Although challenges remain, these steps represent meaningful progress toward long-term and effective conservation in the Shar Mountain region.

North Macedonia, Sharr Mountains National Park, Pozharane village, autumn forest (c) Shar Mountain NP

Working with Local Communities and Traditional Livelihoods

The Shar Mountain region is closely connected to local communities, including farmers and shepherds who depend on traditional land use.

National Park Shar Mountain actively engages local people through:

• Consultations and dialogue
• Joint field activities
• Awareness-raising initiatives on sustainable land management

The park recognises that issues such as illegal waste disposal, unauthorized logging, and unregulated construction are long-standing and complex. Therefore, its approach combines education, cooperation, and enforcement, aiming to build shared responsibility and encourage gradual behavioural change.

By working closely with residents, the park seeks to balance nature conservation with social and economic realities.

Managing Visitors and Supporting Sustainable Tourism

(c) Shar Mountain NP

Visitor management is a key challenge in mountain Protected Areas. In National Park Shar Mountain, one of the most pressing issues has been unregulated motor vehicle use, particularly off-road driving.

To address this, the park is:

• Defining permitted vehicle routes
• Improving signage and on-site information
• Increasing ranger supervision
• Running awareness campaigns on responsible behaviour

At the same time, the park actively supports sustainable tourism, including hiking, guided nature experiences, and environmentally responsible local tourism services. This approach helps protect fragile habitats while allowing visitors to enjoy the park safely and responsibly.

Monitoring, Research, and Cooperation for Better Management

Effective conservation relies on strong data and cooperation. In National Park Shar Mountain, monitoring and research play a central role in management decisions.

Information collected through ranger patrols, forest and biodiversity monitoring, and mapping of illegal activities has directly influenced enforcement priorities and planning. In addition, regular dialogue with municipalities, inspection services, NGOs, research institutions, and local stakeholders has strengthened coordination and compliance.

These collaborative efforts support adaptive management and contribute to steadily improving conservation outcomes across the park.

A Strong Addition to the EUROPARC Network

National Park Shar Mountain brings valuable experience, commitment, and perspective to the EUROPARC network. Its focus on habitat protection, community engagement, sustainable tourism, and cross-sector cooperation reflects shared European values for Protected Area management. Furthermore, Shar Mountain is engaged in transboundary cooperation work, which is why we, at EUROPARC, are warmly welcoming the Protected Area to join us for the one and only Transboundary Parks Programme.

We warmly welcome National Park Shar Mountain and look forward to continued collaboration in support of nature conservation and people across Europe.

(c) Shar Mountain NP