From 8 – 12 June, the Parks certified under EUROPARC’s Transboundary Parks Programme gathered in Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park (Austria) & Fertő–Hanság National Park (Hungary) to dive into Grassland Management.
TransParcNet 2026: Cross-Border Grassland Management for Europe’s Shared Landscapes
Date: 8–12 June 2026
Location: Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park (Austria) & Fertő–Hanság National Park (Hungary)
Theme: Cross-border Grassland Management
Europe’s grasslands are biodiversity hotspots shaped by centuries of traditional land use. Unlike forests or other more self-sustaining ecosystems, many semi-natural grasslands depend on continued human management to maintain their exceptional diversity. Without grazing or mowing, shrubs and trees gradually take over, reducing the open habitats on which many specialised plants, insects and birds depend. Conserving these landscapes therefore requires active management alongside protection, making cooperation across borders essential where ecosystems extend beyond national boundaries.
This shared challenge brought conservation professionals, researchers and Protected Area managers to TransParcNet 2026, hosted by Neusiedler See–Seewinkel National Park (Austria) and Fertő–Hanság National Park (Hungary). Throughout the week, participants exchanged practical solutions and explored how transboundary cooperation can safeguard Europe’s shared natural heritage.
Discover the programme, and learn more through the video of the event!
Learning from the Landscape
The meeting was designed around the idea that some of the best lessons happen outdoors. Participants travelled by bicycle, ferry and bus through the transboundary landscape, visiting the iconic soda pans of Seewinkel, restored grasslands along Lake Neusiedl and grazing sites on both the Austrian and Hungarian sides of the border.
Participants of the TransParcNet 2026
As participants moved between the two National Parks, they also learned how cross-border grassland management works in practice. Although separated by a national border, the grasslands form one connected ecosystem. Maintaining their ecological value requires coordinated grazing regimes, habitat restoration, monitoring and knowledge exchange so that management actions complement one another and species can thrive across the wider landscape.
Traditional Grazing Creates Healthy Grasslands
A clear message emerged throughout the meeting: Europe’s grasslands thrive through active management. At Fertő–Hanság National Park, participants discovered how traditional grazing with Hungarian Grey cattle, water buffalo and Racka sheep, combined with mosaic mowing, maintains species-rich meadows and wetlands. These time-tested practices continue to play a vital role in conserving biodiversity across thousands of hectares.
Protecting Pollinators Starts with Healthy Habitats
Healthy grasslands are essential for Europe’s pollinators. Grace Bond from IUCN presented the European Pollinator Action Plans, highlighting the threatened teasel bees and the need for flower-rich meadows, suitable nesting sites and connected habitats. Practical measures such as late mowing, low-intensity grazing and habitat restoration can help protect these species while strengthening entire grassland ecosystems.
Sharing Knowledge Across Borders
TransParcNet 2026 also highlighted experiences from across Europe. Shar Mountain National Park shared its efforts to conserve high mountain grasslands through pasture inventories, habitat assessments and cooperation with local communities. Despite facing challenges such as rural depopulation and climate change, the presentation reinforced a common message shared throughout the meeting: successful grassland conservation depends on sound science, active management and strong cross-border partnerships.
Grazing in Fertő–Hanság National Park
From Experience to Best Practice
The final workshops focused on turning ideas into practical guidance. Participants worked together to identify successful examples of transboundary grassland management and began developing a new TransParcNet publication [coming soon!] that will showcase best practices from across the network.
Nature Thrives When Working Across Borders
TransParcNet 2026 demonstrated that conserving Europe’s grasslands requires more than protecting individual sites. It demands active management, respect for traditional knowledge, scientific innovation and, above all, cooperation across borders.
From extensive grazing and habitat restoration to pollinator conservation and high mountain pasture management, every presentation reinforced the same message: healthy grasslands are living landscapes that depend on people working together.
Presentations are available upon request:
