The European Youth in Parks Day is a commemorative day for Protected Areas across Europe involving young people in their daily work. In 2023 the EUROPARC Federation is pilotting this event for the first time, coinciding with our 50 years celebration, looking forward to the next generation of nature stewards.
“Knowing is the key to caring, and with caring there is hope that people will be motivated to take positive actions. They might not care even if they know, but they can’t care if they are unaware.” ― Sylvia A. Earle
European Youth in Parks Day 2023: Our Nature, Our Future
This year we would like to pilot the first ever European Youth in Parks Day together with our members on the 23rd of September!
Why?
Because connecting young people with our natural and cultural heritage can have a postive impact on their physical and mental health and helps create long-lasting relationships.
On European #YouthinParksDay we want to showcase what young people can do to contribute towards sustainable development and conservation in Protected Areas.
So join in!
Organise an event with the kids and young adults in your Park on the 23rd of September and celebrate the theme: Our Nature, Our Future!
European Youth in Parks Day 2023 Guidelines
Find your Partners
(a) Do you already have a Junior Ranger or a Youth+ programme?
This is your chance to activate their leadership qualities by facilitating a youth-led activity. This activity can either be for themselves, for one another, or for the young people in the local community to bring them all together and connect with your Park.
(b) Do you have partnerships with schools, youth organisations or other youth in the local community?
Then consider a joint activity for the young people in the local community to bring them together and connect with your Park.
Set the Date and Time
Find a time on or around the 23rd of September for your event to take place.
Plan your Activity
Do you need some inspiration? Find some example activities below:
- Bio Blitz: learning how to identify local species
- Outdoor sport: hiking, cycling, canoeing
- Nature restoration: planting native species, removing invasives
- Wild foraging: learning which things are edible and which not
- Local sustainable festival: plant swaps, local food, clothes swaps, music
Check out the map to see who else is participating and remember to add your pin as well with the following info:
- The name of the event
- A short description
- A contact address for the feedback survey
Share your Stories
When posting on your social media on the 23rd September, please tag us and use the hashtag #YouthInParksDay and #StrongerWithYouth
Twitter: @EUROPARC
Instagram and Facebook: @EUROPARC.youth
LinkedIn: EUROPARC Federation
Submit your Best Photos
We would love to see your top photo(s) of the day that embodies the theme! We will select the best photos and use these in the following media:
- In EUROPARC’s Annual Report magazine that goes out to all members
- As the EUROPARC Junior Ranger Facebook Page Cover for the year
- On the cover of the #YouthInParksDay Report
Email them to us along with the name of the photographer and the following disclaimer:
“Without expectation of compensation or other remuneration, now or in the future, I hereby give my consent to EUROPARC Federation to use the photo(s) and video(s) I have submitted in their communication on online platforms and print media. This consent is given in perpetuity and does not require prior approval by me”
Send us your Feedback
We would love to hear how the experience was and what advice you think first timers should be given ahead of the event for next year. We will send you the form but you can also freely fill it out by following this link:
Send us your feedback!About the European Youth in Parks Day
Imagine a day when all Parks and Protected Areas come together across Europe, to involve young people in the Park. Young people are the future leaders, park managers, and local communities, and by connecting them to Protected Areas, we connect them with their cultural and environmental heritage.
Many Parks are already investing in young people, with school programmes, Junior Rangers, Youth+, Youth Committees and more. On the European Youth in Parks Day, we want to celebrate that commitment to the next generation and make visible this labour of love. We hope that as this event grows from year to year, it will inspire more Parks to follow suit.
Lastly, our dream is that the European Youth in Parks Day is also one where young people can take the lead for nature, where they are given the opportunity to co-create the event with their Park. This way, Parks can help build up and empower young people in a safe and supported way, because we are #StrongerWithYouth!
The European Day of Parks is made possible through funding of the LIFE Programme. Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the European Commission or of CINEA.