newsletter nr13 2007 krumlov 4 -...

A short length of barbed wire fence stands in the forest, surroundedby mountain forests home to wildlife including lynx, black stork andotter. Clear streams feed bogs bright with berries. Cyclists and walkersrevel in the fresh air and peace.

Nature reigns here, but as you pass the fence you are passing through history.

Nearby is the border into Germany from the Czech Republic - the barbed wire

all that's left of the 'iron curtain' which cast shadows across Europe for much

of the last century.

Today, the two neighbouring protected areas making up this precious, wild place

- the Czech Šumava National Park, and the German Bavarian Forest National Park

(Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald) - co-exist in a mutually happy and supportive

relationship.

The border is fading into history, the police post unmanned already in anticipation

of its soon-to-be open status. Yet it was this very 'unnatural' border zone that

allowed nature to thrive.

This complex, productive, intriguing and important subject was at the heart of

EUROPARC 2007, the general assembly and conference of the EUROPARC

Federation. Held at the crossroads of Europe, the conference was titled Nature- Bridging Borders and welcomed 300 delegates from 24 countries to the

stunning historic town of Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

There was a warm welcome from the hosts, the Czech Ministry of the Environment

and Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection, EUROPARC Fede-

ration, and local German, Austrian and Czech protected areas. Their lively programme

of events filled the conference time with debate, discussion and resolution.

Where cross-border communication is concerned, humans are just starting to

catch up with the natural world, often with nature leading the way in encouraging

and enabling human populations to interact across natural boundaries.

The shared richness of nature, beyond cultural and political borders and vital to

life and the earth's future, was emphasised throughout the conference. The tests

of working together were faced up to and examined, as well as the current

challenges of climate change and globalisation.

Broad-based and deep-rooted, the EUROPARC Federation rose to the occasion.

Speakers and delegates participated in full, with lively presentations and debates.

There was input from the most experienced conservation veterans, and the

youngest junior rangers .

A celebration of how much can be achieved - and a promise to do more in

the future - the conference showed how much there is to be gained from

working together across boundaries.

EEUURROOPPAARRCC 0077:: CCOONNFFEERREENNCCEE HHIIGGHHLLIIGGHHTTSSEEUURROOPPAARRCC 0077:: CCOONNFFEERREENNCCEE HHIIGGHHLLIIGGHHTTSS

IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONNBBoorrddeerrss ccrroosssseedd,, bbrriiddggeess bbuuiilltt

Český Krumlov

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EUROPARC 07: CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

INTRODUCTION Borders crossed, bridges built 1

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS Positive thinking in the boundary zone 2

RESOLUTION Call for urgent action to protect wilderness 3

KEY MESSAGES Thoughts and recommendations from

the workshops 3

AWARDS Charters, medals and scholarships 6

BUSINESS Annual general assembly and side

meetings; consultancy services 7

AND TO FOLLOW… The junior rangers present their vision;

post-conference tour 8

LATEST NEWS

Working for Nature - Nature for Working 10

European Charter for Sustainable

Tourism - European CharterNet starts11

Natura 2000 Networking Programme 11

Junior Ranger Network 12

Pupils experience nature in European

protected areas 12

EUROPARC Director leaves the Federation 13

Calendar of events 2008 13

This newsletter features highlights ofthe packed conference programme: a full report in English, French andGerman will be available atwww.europarc.org later in the month.

EEUURROOPPAARRCC 0077:: CCOONNFFEERREENNCCEE HHIIGGHHLLIIGGHHTTSS

2 EUROPARC Newsletter No. 13 November 2007

In her welcome to delegates Erika Stanciu (RO), President

of the EUROPARC Federation, opened the conference as

an event which was about 'keeping alive the desire to work

together in Europe, a continent without artificial and

useless boundaries'. She pointed out that the theme had

been carefully selected as highly relevant to EUROPARC's

members and their work, and that 'bridging borders

reflects the basic principles of the Federation. This is not

only about understanding that borders are irrelevant to

nature, but also that they are important to humans'.

Martin Bursík (CZ), the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister

of the Environment of the Czech Republic, welcomed this

'vital debate among professionals' about how to protect

natural areas under increasing pressure from globalisation

and climate change, while still allowing public access.

Václav Havel (CZ) sent a message of support for the work

of delegates to preserve nature which is 'more in danger

today then ever before' .

Functional borders are essential at all levels of life, said

Jan Pokorný (CZ) of ENKI, the Academy of Sciences, who

spoke on the phenomenon of boundaries in nature and

landscape: 'I realised that we have the same principles on

all levels - from animals and plant cells up'.

'An ecotone - a functioning boundary in a landscape - is

the habitat created at the interface of distinctly different

habitats, and these borders are areas of the highest

biodiversity. Living boundaries can be corridors - and

borders, when not barriers, carry life functions.'

However, the problem comes with economic development,

which can create boundaries that do not 'function'.

Drainage and destruction of nature lead to global warming

- the energy budget is substantially influenced by the land

surface cover. There is hope, as landscape functions

through membrances which can function equally in a man-

made landscape. We cannot go back to virgin forest, but

we can take it as a model for sustainable development.

Lassi Karivalo (FIN) of Metsähallitus agreed that many

biologically rich ecosystems are at borders, and called for

close co-operation between countries to build a common

European transboundary strategy: 'Transboundary

cooperation is extremely important for maintaining

biologically rich border regions and became an important

part of European nature conservation in the 1990s.'

The process began with the collapse of the Soviet Union

and the fall of the Iron Curtain which had divided Europe

up to this time. It was discovered that in the border zone

between the east and the west, which had been strictly

protected from human activities, rich biodiversity had

developed during the past decades. Measures were taken

immediately to conserve the valuable biodiversity of this

zone by establishing protected areas, among other things.

However, designation of a new protected area adjacent to

the state border by one country alone is often not

effective from the ecological point of view. Concerted

efforts of two or more partners may result in

a spectacular success for biodiversity protection at the

border regions.

EUROPARC has a key role to play: 'Transboundary Parks -

Following Nature's Design by the Federation is an innovative

and unique system of basic standards for transboundary

cooperation. These standards represent a practical tool

which protected areas at borders can use to assess and

improve the level of their cooperation, thus facilitating

their daily work and ultimately benefiting management of

the shared landscapes and ecosystems.'

Ladislav Miko (CZ), European Commission DG Environment,

was the final keynote speaker. He opened by pointing out

that all four of the Czech Republic's national parks are

transboundary, and that he had come to 'present, defend

and advocate European policy, and to hear what you think

of i t - to know what is functioning and what you can

improve.'

He pointed out that nature conservation is well supported

by the population of Europe, and that 'if we collaborated

better then we would achieve much more; the problem is

we are following slightly different routes'.

He pointed out that strong and strict boundaries result

from competition, and human political boundaries have

logical reasons behind them - but these are not

understood by other species. Then there are the

'secondary' boundaries such as roads, which are also

disruptive to nature - man made boundaries often give no

time for other species to adapt, whereas natural

boundaries have evolved.

'Natura 2000 is a patchwork, not a network - it doesn't

keep processes in the landscape. What is needed is

a landscape matrix, a new broader vision and a science-

based network, with nature where possible less dependent

on human input.'

'Protected areas are species pools, resources, cornerstones,

the basic building block. But we cannot live in isolated

islands, especially in a changing climate. We need to think

positive, not just in terms of species and habitats but of

functional entities. We must create room for nature as well

as people, as nature is a basic support for our lives.'

KKEEYY NNOOTTEE SSPPEEAAKKEERRSS

PPoossiittiivvee tthhiinnkkiinngg iinn tthhee bboouunnddaarryy zzoonnee

EUROPARC Newsletter No. 13 November 2007 3

The conference kicked off with a round-table meeting on

Wilderness in the European Union, chaired by Erika Stanciu.

The EUROPARC Federation and the PAN Parks Foundation

joined forces with a Resolution on Wilderness Areas drafted

following an international round table meeting on wilderness

in the European Union held during the conference. Signed

by EUROPARC, PAN Parks, Wild Europe Initiative and Eurosite,

the resolution states:

'We the undersigned organizations call upon theEuropean Commission and EU member states to takeurgent action to protect Europe's remaining largeareas of natural habitat with non-interventionmanagement, also known as wilderness or wildland,which are threatened by inappropriately locatedlogging and development.

We acknowledge that the Natura 2000 networkprovides a strong framework for conservation.However its requirement to maintain habitats in

'favourable conservation status' can be interpreted insuch a way as to conflict unnecessarily with theprotection of present or potential wilderness orwildland and their natural processes. This situationrequires further guidelines on the best approach.

In addition to containing an irreplaceable European na-tural heritage of biodiversity and habitats, these areascan offer stronger sustainable economic, social, culturaland environmental benefits - for local communities,landholders and society in general - if left intact.

Such benefits include addressing climate changethrough carbon sequestration and flood mitigation,fast-growing nature-based tourism opportunities,and potential to help tackle important inner cityissues such as youth development and healthcare.

These areas represent a very small and shrinking pro -portion of the European region, and little time remainsto secure their protection for future generations.'

RREESSOOLLUUTTIIOONN

KKEEYY MMEESSSSAAGGEESS

CCaallll ffoorr uurrggeenntt aaccttiioonn ttoo pprrootteecctt wwiillddeerrnneessss

TThhoouugghhttss aanndd rreeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss ffrroomm tthhee wwoorrkksshhooppss

11.. EEuurrooppeeaann nnaattuurraall bbrriiddggeess ((bbiioo--ccoorrrriiddoorrss))• Ecological network concept should be promoted in nature conservation and landscape protection across Europe

because it is a good common platform for nature conservationists, land-use/spatial planners, local communes

and other stakeholders.

• Although it is controversial in some respects, it is a chance for the future since natural habitats are being

fragmented, destroyed and lost in an unprecedented rate and because biological/ecological infrastructure

provides humans with various ecosystem goods and services, e.g. flood mitigation and control.

Chair: Jan Plesník (CZ)

22.. HHooww ttoo oovveerrccoommee ffrraaggmmeennttaattiioonn iinn EEuurrooppeeaann llaannddssccaappeess• Maintaining functionality in European landscapes by encouraging connectivity will help reduce the impacts of climate

and land-use changes. Experiences in European protected areas (networks of protected areas, transboundary

cooperation, integrated spatial planning and management) may give very good examples about how to do it.

• The Catalonia Declaration (EUROPARC Federation, October 2004) explains that healthy and diverse landscapes bring

benefits to everyone. EUROPARC Federation needs to show decision-makers why and work for its application.

Chairs : José Vicente de Lucio and Carles Castell Puig (E)

33.. OOvveerrccoommiinngg ppoolliittiiccaall,, ssoocciiaall aanndd ccuullttuurraall bboouunnddaarriieess

• Develop the planned internship programme "working for nature - nature for working" in a mini-directory of

parks (type of park, brief description, three main themes or activities) to support exchanges.

• Develop a training programme and exchanges aimed at language support for

partnership working. Chair: Bernard Guihéneuf (F)

Delegates attended one of a set of 11 workshops to work on themes related to boundaries, resulting in the following

key messages which were presented to the conference. To the delight of delegates, the results of an impromptu song

contest to build understanding between nations were also included (congratulations to the winners, Estonia)!


44.. NNaattuurraa 22000000 -- mmaannaaggiinngg sshhaarreedd hhaabbiittaattss• The knowledge already collected on the designation and

management of transboundary protected areas and Natura

2000 sites is the best tool to turn the patchwork into

a network.

• When starting transboundary cooperation build trust and

friendship first, let the partners enjoy it, then formal

measures follow more easily.

Chair: Gábor Szilágyi (HU)

55.. MMiilliittaarryy ttrraaiinniinngg aarreeaass :: iimmppoorrttaannccee aannddcchhaanncceess

Aware of different economic interests in former Military Training

Areas:

• They should not be privatised, and

• They should be preserved as part of biotope-structure -

systems, managed by nature conservation authorities.

Chair: Wolfgang Mattes (A)

66.. TTrraannssbboouunnddaarryy ccoo--ooppeerraattiioonn aass aa cchhaannccee ttoo aaddaapptt tthhee mmaannaaggeemmeenntt ooff pprrootteecctteeddaarreeaass ttoo cclliimmaattee cchhaannggee

• Protected areas need to both adapt to climate change and contribute to Greenhouse Gas reductions

(mitigation). In more natural parks, adaptation may mostly mean protecting large areas and letting natural

processes work; in more fragmented landscapes it will mean active intervention. A contribution should be made

to mitigation e.g. Carbon management in peat, where this does not conflict with other objectives.

• Climate change will require a new form of transboundary cooperation in many cases: managers of protected

areas will need to work with land managers outside the protected area boundary to increase connectivity

across the landscape and so allow more effective adaptation to climate change. New funding and/or

mechanisms may be needed to deliver both these objectives.

Chair: Keith Buchanan (UK)

77.. RRaannggeerrss aanndd tthheeiirr rroollee iinn bbuuiillddiinngg bbrriiddggeess oouuttssiiddee aanndd iinnssiiddee pprrootteecctteedd aarreeaass

• Rangers are a very important part of protected areas authorities. They are a living link between the protected

area itself, local people, visitors and the protected area authority. Protected areas should on the basis of their

main aims and objectives tend towards employing a suitable number of professional park rangers.

• Rangers' job tasks are in common very wide. Working with people to build bridges outside and inside protected

areas is therefore of great importance. For successful ranger work we need systems and well trained and

dedicated staff. If so we can develop ranger services under the slogan: from policing to helping and facilitating.

Chair: Martin Šolar (SI)

88.. TTrraannssbboouunnddaarryy pprrootteecctteedd aarreeaass -- ffoolllloowwiinngg nnaattuurree''ss ddeessiiggnn1. Capacity building

The current EUROPARC transboundary certification system should be further developed into a more comprehen-

sive 'transboundary capacity building work programme' in order to :

• assist protected areas aiming at the Certificate to improve their transboundary cooperation and reach the

common European 'Basic Standards';

• support the network of the certified parks and build their capacities to cooperate, and share information,

experience and best practice within the network, and with other protected areas in Europe and worldwide;

and thus provide the "added value" to the EUROPARC 'transboundary certificate'.

2 . Promotion of the EUROPARC role

The role of the EUROPARC Federation in raising awareness on the common responsibility for the border regions,

need for transboundary cooperation between protected areas, benefits of regional cooperation in solving

common ecological problems, and in promoting the examples of 'best practice' in transboundary cooperation

between the European protected areas should be better promoted, as providing for the greater European

integration in nature protection, and thus translating the common European vision into practice.

Chair: Zbigniew Niewiadomski (PL)


1100.. CCooaassttaall aanndd mmaarriinnee pprrootteecctteedd aarreeaass

1. We should equally care about the landscape and the seascape.

• the protection, proper planning and management of the coastal and marine environment is urgent

2. Establish a formal EUROPARC Coastal and Marine Working Group

• to raise awareness

• to develop conservation and management strategies e.g. through workshop

• please register your interest

Chair: Fred van der Vegte (NL)

1111.. CCoommmmuunniiccaattiinngg aanndd pprroommoottiinngg bbeenneeffiittss ooff ttrraannssbboouunnddaarryy pprrootteecctteedd aarreeaass• In order to find shared values and goals, a common language of understanding is essential if the inevitable

differences in culture are to be recognized and overcome within an appropriate timescale.

• For harmonious, successful transboundary cooperation the involvement of local people and stakeholders at

different vertical levels (international, national, regional) is necessary.

Chair: Bernhard Schön (A)

OOuutt aanndd aabboouutt iinn SSoouutthh BBoohheemmiiaaThe second day of the conference, 28 September, featured

a wide selection of excursions presenting the variety of

landscapes in protected areas of South Bohemia, ranging from

the lowland region of the Trebonsko fish ponds to the Šumava

mountain range. Delegates enjoyed walking, trips to visitor

centres, crossing borders, river rafting and cycling amongst

other activities. In the evening, the opening of the exhibition

Our most beautiful landscapes at the Regional Museum

featured a wine tasting.

99.. SSuussttaaiinnaabbllee ttoouurriissmm aaccrroossss bboouunnddaarriieess1. TO PROTECTED AREAS

Experience has shown that the Charter is an excellent tool for developing

sustainable tourism in European protected areas. In fact, it provides

a common framework both at European level and across borders between

adjacent protected areas. Transboundary parks should be encouraged to

develop a common strategy and action plan and to present common

applications for Charter status. It is also important to establish links and

cooperation with other similar systems for developing sustainable tourism.

2 . TO EUROPARC

It is important that a good communication system for and about the

Charter is put in place by EUROPARC. First using the results of the

evaluation of the charter itself which is being carried out. Then using

all possible opportunities at international level (Internet, press, fairs like

Reisepavillon) to promote sustainable tourism and the parks as

destinations. At local level this could be done by using the tourism

businesses as ambassadors, through training and partnership.

Chair: Patrizia Rossi (I)


AAWWAARRDDSS

CChhaarrtteerrss,, mmeeddaallss aanndd sscchhoollaarrsshhiippssThe European Charter for Sustainable Tourism was

awarded to: Brecon Beacons National Park (UK), Exmoor

National Park (UK), Koli National Park (FIN), Sierra Maria-Los

Vélez Nature Park (E), Sierra de Carden~a y Montoro Nature

Park (E), Sierra Mágina Nature Park (E), Sierra Norte de

Sevilla Nature Park (E), Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park (E),

Bren~a y Marismas del Barbate Nature Park (E), Delta

de l'Ebre Nature Park (E), Somiedo Nature Park(E)

and Guadeloupe National Park (F). It was re-awarded

to Frankenwald Nature Park (D), Alpi Marittime Nature Park

(I), Luberon Nature Park (F) and Vexin Français Nature

Park (F).

The Alfred Toepfer Medal was awarded to Patrizia Rossi (I) and Jan Cerovský (CZ).

Patrizia Rossi could not collect her medal when it was awarded at the

Oxford as part of EUROPARC 2006. At the presentation Aitken Clark, Council

member of the EUROPARC Federation, described her as 'a constant star in

the conservation firmament, marking a course for others to follow…

a sparkling, vivacious yet gently modest woman whose passion and dedication

for nature conservation has remained undimmed throughout her distinguished

career'. From a degree in microbiology, she taught and worked as a volunteer

ranger; from there she moved on, eventually becoming Director of the Parco

Naturale Alpi Marittime. Here she has pioneered transboundary cooperation

and runs a National Park that is known as an exemplary model of protected

area management. She is a member of the IUCN's World Commission on

Protected Areas; chairs the EUROPARC Evaluation Committee of the European

Charter for Sustainable Tourism; and served as President of the EUROPARC

Council from 1999 to 2002.

The European Charter for Transboundary Co-operation was awarded to Podyji National Park (CZ) - Thayatal National

Park (A) and Maas-Schwalm-Nette- Nature Park (D/NL).

The Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships were awarded to three young nature conservationists from Austria,

Czech Republic and Poland, selected by EUROPARC to undertake a study visit as part of their ongoing research. The

scholarships were handed over by Andreas Holz (D) Council Member of the Alfred Toepfer Foundation (D) to:

(For further news on the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism see www.european-charter.org)

Left to right: Andreas Holz (D) Council Member of the Alfred ToepferFoundation (D), Květa Černohlávková (CZ), Stephan Krasser (D),Andrzej Ginalski (PL); Photo: Radek Drahný

2006 Alfred Toepfer Medal holder Patrizia Rossi (I).Photo: Radek Drahný

Kveta Cernohlávková (CZ)Kveta Cernohlávková, 26, graduate of Charles University,

Prague who actively participates in the Junior Ranger

Project, to develop and publish a Junior Euroranger

Methodology.

Andrzej Ginalski (PL)Andrzej Ginalski, 29, PhD student at Marie-Curie-Sklodowska

University, Lublin, to visit national parks in England, Scotland

and Wales to collect data for a comparative analysis of

nature protection systems in Poland, Czech Republic and

Great Britain.

Stephan Krasser (A)Stephan Krasser, 28, graduate of University of Applied

Science, Dortmund, to visit 2-3 protected areas to realise

a photographic scanning of the areas, observing and

comparing changes in the landscape and nature of the

protected areas and documenting the results.


BBUUSSIINNEESSSS

AAnnnnuuaall ggeenneerraall aasssseemmbbllyy aanndd ssiiddee mmeeeettiinnggssOn the final day of the conference, the side meetings of

eight special interest and working groups took place:

• Natura Networking Programme (NNP)

• Wetlands

• Development of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism

• Education: current and future activities

• Higher education for management of protected areas

• Legal aspects of transboundary co-operation

• Values and benefits from protected areas

• Evaluation of management effectiveness of protected areas.

These were followed by a report back session from the

workshops to relate the agreed key messages, and the

general assembly of the Federation. The treasurer's report,

business report, and strategy and work programme 2008-

12 were presented and agreed. After a lively debate it was

decided to review the location of the headquarters as part

of ongoing formulation of strategy.

Strategy and work programme available in the members'

area on the EUROPARC website at www.europarc.org.

Jan Cerovský was thanked by Dr. Hans Bibelriether, Past

President of the EUROPARC Federation, for 'outstanding

services to the protection of nature in the Czech Republic,

Slovakia and throughout Europe, commitment to the

transboundary and pan-European protection of nature, and

environmental education nationally and internationally for more

than 50 years'. A botanist, in 1968 he was elected member of

the UNESCO Biosphere Conference's executive committee and

in 1972 he chaired the meeting on education and training at

the second world conference on national parks. He became

a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas,

from 1991 - 1994 was Vice President of IUCN and was elected

as a honorary member after helping draft the Guidelines for

Protected Area Management Categories. Among other activities,

he aided the establishment of the Protected Landscape Area

Labské piskovce and the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park,

as well as being the author of many publications.

If you would like a brochure, please contact [email protected]

Wilf Fenten, who took over as EUROPARC Consulting's

managing director earlier this year, had been asked by the

Federation Council to give a short presentation of the

company's background and its vision for the future .

EUROPARC Consulting GmbH was set up as the consultancy

arm of the EUROPARC Federation in 2001. The funds, at

the time, came from an independent source as, from the

outset, it was established that the new company should

not take any funds from the Federation, rather the reverse.

It was founded with three aims in mind:

1. to provide low-cost, high-quality expert consultancy

services for the Federation network by engaging

appropriate experts from its pool;

2 . to generate profits to transfer funds to the Federation,

sufficient to support one full-time member of staff;

3. to help raise the Federation's profile in Europe.

Since then, the company has provided a vast range of

experience within EUROPARC's pan-European network to

varied clients in the form of reliable, cost-effective

consultancy services. The company is registered in Germany

where it shares an office with the EUROPARC Federation.

Wilf works from the EUROPARC Consulting office in the

north of England.

EUROPARC Consulting is currently involved in a number of

important projects and is also responsible for dealing

smoothly with the whole process involved when a protected

area wants to join the European Charter of Sustainable Tou-

rism in Protected Areas. This year alone 12 new parks joined.

The company faces a very bright future and has been able

to extend its activities particularly in the new EU countries.

It also plans to intensify its links with other European

countries, especially Germany and Spain which Wilf hopes to

visit early in 2008.

EEUURROOPPAARRCC CCoonnssuullttiinngg:: ppaasstt,, pprreesseenntt aanndd ffuuttuurree

EUROPARCPresident Erika

Stanciuhanding over

the 2007 AlfredToepfer Medal

to JanČeřovský (CZ).The speech for

the laureatewas held by

Dr. HansBibelriether.

Photo:Radek Drahný


TThhee jjuunniioorr rraannggeerrss pprreesseenntt tthheeiirr vviissiioonn

An international junior ranger workshop

- "Shaping the Future of the Junior

Ranger Movement" as part of the

conference. Junior and mentor rangers

from the Czech Republic, Austria and

Germany came together to exchange

information on their junior ranger

activities. This gave participants the

opportunity to give presentations on

their programme activities and highlight

components they would recommend to

introduce in other parks too.

A presentation by delegates from the GesäuseNational Park in Austria at the internationalworkshop "Shaping the Future of the Junior

Ranger Movement".Picture: Radek Drahný

Three junior rangers from the Gesäuse NP, the Bavarian Forest NP andthe Šumava NP presenting their poster they had created with jointefforts. Photo: Radek Drahný.

Maximilian (12) from the Gesäuse NP in Austria: "We don't only acquirepractical skills, we also learn for life. The junior ranger programme mustbe recommended!" Photo: Radek Drahný.

After the presentations mentor rangers gathered in

a working group to discuss potential transboundary and

international partnership initiatives. The demand for integra -

ting junior ranger activities or even international camps in

future EUROPARC conferences was clearly expressed. While

the mentors were discussing in working groups, the junior

rangers met for poster sessions. The junior rangers, who

were to develop posters displaying their transboundary

experiences, mixed up in international groups and it was

pleasing to see how much fun they had. They made them-

selves understood in English, German and Czech, or failing

that, through body language! When each group presented

its poster one major message was expressed by all :

"We don't want boundaries!"

In addition, the junior rangers presented their posters as

an 'aperitif' to the official gala dinner on 29 September.

Four junior rangers gave personal statements on and

described their visions of the junior ranger movement. To

quote Maximilian from the Gesäuse National Park in Austria:

"We don't only acquire practical skills, we also learn for life.

The junior ranger programme must be recommended!"

As a reward to the EUROPARC 2007 conference delegates for all the hard work they had done, the junior rangers drew

the three lucky winners in a junior ranger quiz, in which delegates had the chance to take part. The prizes were useful

hiking equipment items and junior ranger starter kits including posters, caps and T-shirts.

AANNDD TTOO FFOOLLLLOOWW……

The post-conference excursion was to the Bohemian

Switzerland National Park and its cross-boundary partner in

Germany, the Sächsische Schweiz National Park. For

centuries this area has been much visited. Geologically it is

complex, much of it being of Elbe sandstones, frequently

enriched with outcrops of basalt and Jurassic limestone.

Gorges and volcanic remnants, together with other

features, make this area rich in biodiversity, geologically

interesting and beautiful.

As always on EUROPARC post-conference field trips, we had

the luxury of being shown around by real experts. As far

as the rich and diverse flora and fauna was concerned, we

were able to see gentians, pinks and wild flowers unknown

to many of us, but failed to spot the lynx or the corncrake.

I think I saw an edible dormouse and we all saw plenty of

dippers. Handrij Härtel pointed out how important it is not

to allow wildlife just to remain isolated in protected areas.

Adjacent land is now opened up to allow nature to reclaim

habitats which have been previously lost to agriculture .

Historically, the area is the scene of occupation by ancient

tribes. More recently Napoleon, and later, Hitler were active

here, and it was the home of the Sudetendeutsche until

they were expelled in 1946. Czechoslovakia became a Soviet

satellite . I realised, more powerfully, why it is important to

transcend political boundaries in Europe, with co-operation

rather than wars and fragmented development. In this area,

it comes home to one that EUROPARC has extra significance

as an enabler, for unity in a previously fragmented Europe.

To promote co-operation, biodiversity and the care of the

environment, we have an important role.

EUROPARC Newsletter No.10 November 2006 9

AANNDD TTOO FFOOLLLLOOWW……

AA rriicchh aanndd rroommaannttiicc llaannddssccaappeeParticipant Hilary Fenten, (UK) Chair of the Craven Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, givesher view of the post conference tour

EUROPARC 2008Next year's annual conference and general assembly will be held in Brasov, Romania,

September 24-28. Put the dates in your diary now!

EUROPARC members at the post-conference tour in the Český kras Protected Landscape. Photo: J. Štursa


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Back row left to right: Bogdan Tomozeii (RO), Arnold Multerer (D), Petra Dippold (D), Duarte Silva (P), Maximilian Wagner (D), Pierre Terret (F),David Rodriguez (E), Alin Mos (RO), Nuria Otmani (E), Ruth Gaj-McKeever (IRL), Natalia Pineros (CO), Gianni Oppi (I), Eoin Collins (IRL), JaanaMuhonen (FIN) and Martin Kouril (CZ)Front row left to right: Attila Komlos (H), Milca Petrovici (RO), Veronica French (IRL), Haizea Agirre (E) and Jana Laciná (CZ)Photo: Naturpark Bayerischer Wald

From 3-5 October 2007 the introduction seminar to the

EUROPARC project Working for Nature - Nature forWorking took place in the Information Centre of the

Bavarian Forest Nature Park in Zwiesel, Germany. EUROPARC

invited the twelve pilot interns from model project and their

mentors from the twelve selected protected areas. Eleven

pilot interns from seven and eight mentors from eight

European countries participated in the Introduction Seminar.

The aim of the seminar was to give participants - especially

the protected areas and their corresponding pilot intern -

the possibility to meet, exchange ideas and clarify aims and

activities. Participants had the chance to give comments

and suggestions and ask questions relating to the project.

The "pairs" had the possibility to further think about

and/or design the projects and activities to be realised by

the intern during his three month internship in the

protected area.

Besides the participation in the daily work of the protected

area and the realisation of own projects, another aim of the

pilot internships is to promote the EUROPARC project in the

twelve host countries on a national level with the support

of the pilot interns. In the course of the introduction seminar

chaired by EUROPARC Director Eva Pongratz, guidelines and

approaches of how to promote the project were developed

through brainstorming and group discussion.

The seminar was topped off by a guided tour through the

information centre of the Bavarian Forest Nature Park by

the Director Hartwig Löfflmann and a joint excursion round

"Großer Arbersee" under the direction of Arnold Multerer.

For further information please contact Petra Dippold at [email protected]


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WWoorrkkiinngg GGrroouupp iinn BBoonnnnThe EUROPARC project European CharterNet aims at strengthening and

further developing the European Charter and the Charter Network.

Specific activities and communication methods should take up the

potential of the network and achieve added-value for the European

Network. On 12 October the project working group met for the first

time at the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation in Bonn, which is

supporting the project with funds from the Ministry of the Environment,

Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The aim of the meeting was

to the official formation of the Project Working Group, clarification of

the project aims as well as its areas of activities, to give an overview

of the project activities and their scheduled time frame with focus on

the forthcoming activities of the Project Working Group. As one of the

main task of the Working Group is a comparative analysis between the

CBD Guidelines and the European Charter a presentation of the

background of the CBD Guidelines, their development, aims and

components took place in order to enhance the group's knowledge and

understanding. First links between the European Charter and the CBD

Guidelines were identified and future steps discussed.

NNaattuurraa 22000000 NNeettwwoorrkkiinngg PPrrooggrraammmmee ((NNNNPP))The three organisations Eurosite, European Landowners' Organisation (ELO) and the EUROPARC Federation have been

working closely together on Natura 2000 since 2004. While some actions as part of the joint project 'Natura 2000

Networking Programme (NNP)' have already been successfully implemented.

• Wildlife and Life Firing - Natura 2000 on Military Training Areas - Hotel Modul, Vienna, Austria , 6-8 November 2007

• Wild Places, Open Spaces: Natura 2000 on the North West Coast - Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport, UK,

13th November 2007

• Final NNP Conference - Success Stories and Further Potential - Fortis Bank, Brussels, 28 November 2007; one

of the confirmed speakers is Ladislav Miko, EC, DG Environment, who will speak about "Nature management challenges

- f rom non-intervention in wilderness to systematic management in human-induced ecosystems". In addition, Natura

2000 ambassadors from Slovenia and Greece will share inspiring and successful approaches to Natura 2000 management.

Detailed programmes and further information on past and coming training events can be viewed on the NNP project

website at www.natura.org/training.html.

EEuurrooppeeaann CChhaarrtteerr CCeerreemmoonnyy 22000077Twelve new and five re-evaluated Charter protected areas were handed

over their certificate during the EUROPARC General Assembly in Ceský

Krumlov (see www.european-charter.org for details). The list of

signatories to the Charter has with that increased to 45 protected areas

which are fulfilling the principles of the Charter and with their work

actively contribute to a sustainable development.

For further information please contact Petra Dippold at [email protected]

For further questions you can also contact NNP Project Coordinator Claudia Klampfl at [email protected].

Natura 2000 Networking Programme on behalf of the European Commission

Source: EUROPARC Federation

Natura 2000 Networking Programme managed in partnership by project partnersEUROPARC Federation, Eurosite and European Landowners Organization (ELO)


EUROPARC has won five new junior ranger network partners in 2007: the Fichtelgebirge Nature

Park (D), the Gauja National Park (LV), the Zemaitija and Dzukija National Parks (LIT) and the

Tara National Park (Serbia). Thanks to the provision of junior ranger uniforms and financial

support, all new partners were able to establish the EUROPARC Junior Ranger Programme by

organising summer camps for the first time in their parks.

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EUROPARC held an international junior ranger workshop as

part of its 2007 annual conference in Ceský Krumlov (CZ).

(see page 8 of this Newsletter).

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School trips with focus on environmental education are growing more and more

interesting to teachers and pupils of all age-groups. Protected areas are attractive

destinations for school trips to enable pupils to experience and enjoy nature and

give them insight into the aims and philosophy of a national park. Offering

programmes for school trips is not only a possibility for protected areas to fulfil

their educational task but may also create additional economic value for the

region.

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In the framework of the EUROPARC project "Pupils

experience nature in European protected areas" a new

website was launched by PAN GmbH, project partner of

EUROPARC in close co-operation with the EUROPARC

Federation. The website is intended to promote a far

reaching information exchange between protected areas and

schools or other interested groups across Europe. The

website is available in German and English

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Protected areas have the possibility to register andoffer their events on environmental education forschool classes and other target groups online to a wide European public.

The internet platform is also addressed to organisations or

persons offering environmental education on a local or

regional basis in Bavaria.

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Another junior ranger event is to be held from 20 - 22

November 2007 in Laufen, Germany: the EUROPARC Junior

Ranger Trainers' Training. Further information on the

trainers' training is available at: www.europarc.org/juniorranger/activities/jr_trainers_training.php

To learn more about the EUROPARC Junior Ranger

Programme, please download the newly published leaflet,

which is available in English, German and Czech, at

www.europarc.org/juniorranger/press/jr_leaflets_2007/jr_leaflets_2007.php

EEUURROOPPAARRCC JJuunniioorr RRaannggeerr NNeettwwoorrkk

EUROPARC's 2007 junior ranger activities are implemented withfinancial support from the Free State of Bavaria, Germany, and the Bavarian Academy for Nature Protection and Landscape

Conservation (ANL) thanks to a grant from the General Environment Fund.

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Fur further information please contact Petra Dippold at [email protected]

Fur further information please contact Claudia Klampfl at [email protected]

Photo: Thayatal National Park


Dear EUROPARC members, partners and friends,

I am taking the opportunity of this Newsletter to inform you that I will stop

working for EUROPARC at the end of November 2007. I am immensely grateful

that I was given the chance back in 1986 to contribute to the development

and growth of the organisation. Working for the benefit of protected areas

in Europe over the past 21 years has been enormously enjoyable and it is

a great pleasure to realize that at the end of my directorship the EUROPARC

Federation is a strong and powerful network of more than 500 parks in

38 European countries. Our motto "Working together and learning from each

other" describes very well how this success came about.

I would like to thank all those individuals, EUROPARC member organisations, funding institutions and partner NGOs

who have actively contributed to the work of EUROPARC, supported its aims and objectives to preserve our

common European natural heritage for present and future generations. And a special thank you to the many of

you who have personally supported me in my efforts to advance the organisation. I wish all of you, the EUROPARC

Federation and its member organisations all the very best for continuing success in your work to ensure a bright

future for protecting nature in the scenic and most valuable parks of Europe.

Yours ever,

Eva Pongratz

IImmpprreessssuummEditor: EUROPARC FederationContributors: Lucy Galvin, Eva Pongratz, Richard Blackman,Claudia Klampfl, Petra DippoldGraphic Design: Václav HrabaPublisher: EUROPARC FederationKröllstrasse 5, D - 94481 GrafenauTel: + 49 (0)8552 96100Fax: + 49 (0)8552 961019E-mail: [email protected]

The EUROPARC Federation is theumbrella organisation of Europe's

protected areas. It unites nationalparks, regional parks, nature parksand biosphere reserves across the

continent, with the common aimof protecting Europe's unique

variety of wildlife, habitats andlandscapes.

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18 - 20 January Reisepavillon 2008, Stuttgart (D)

2nd Meeting of the Project Working Group "European CharterNet"

25 - 27 January EUROPARC Council Meeting, Barcelona (E)

31 May Deadline for applications for the Alfred Toepfer Natural Hertitage Scholarships

2007

June, date tbc EUROPARC Spain Annual General Assembly, place tbc

June, date tbc Annual European Charter Network Meeting, Mercantour National Park (F) and

Alpi Marittime Nature Park (I)

24 - 28 September EUROPARC 2008: Annual Conference and General Assembly, Brasov, Romania

EEUURROOPPAARRCC CCaalleennddaarr ooff EEvveennttss 22000088

The production of this Newsletter has beensupported financially in the framework of

the European Commission's 2006 fundingprogramme for European EnvironmentalNGOs. The information in this publicationreflects the views of the authors only. TheEuropean Commission is not liable for anyuse that may be made of the information

contained herein.

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