2 - 6 October 2023

Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

EUROPARC conference 2023 REPORT

“Tribute to our landscape, where nature and people meet in harmony”

THEME: Tribute to our Landscape, where nature and people meet in harmony.

in perspective of 50 years of EUROPARC Federation.

Many areas in Europe, especially in the Netherlands, are man-made or places where humans have (had) an important influence on the way in which nature and biodiversity are protected, managed, experienced and used.

Landscape is about the interactions between earth, nature and man and also the connections between past, present and future. Within our theme, ‘Tribute to our landscape, where nature and people meet in harmony’, we responded to important current developments in health, climate, sustainable economy and what major transitions await us in the future.

The celebration of 50 years of EUROPARC Federation has been an important element in the programme. Our 50 years of experience in handling issues and finding solutions are of great value, when we are capable of linking them to the challenges of tomorrow. This is why we invited all participants to learn from what we have done so far, to be better prepared for the future: learning from the past, preparing for the future.

This report provides an overview of the EUROPARC Conference 2023 programme, along with background information that you can access through links.

Best regards,

On behalf of the EUROPARC Conference 2023 organisers.

General Assembly

You can find the Annual Report 2022 here.

Declaration on climate change

Europe’s Nature Regional Landscape (NRL) Parks Climate Declaration:

Europe's NRL Parks are taking a stand against climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat degradation. In a united effort, they are urging policymakers to invest in these Parks to help maximize their potential benefits for both nature and people. The NRL Parks Climate Declaration emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for action to be taken immediately.

You can find more substantive information about the new ‘declaration on climate change’ here

Youth Activity

WELCOME

Welcome in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

by Mayor Sybrand van Haersma Buma

The Conference's launch was led by Leeuwarden's mayor,

Sybrand van Haersma Buma.

During the introduction, he shared the remarkable BOSK initiative, which brought a mobile forest to the city last year. Check out the fascinating BOSK art project film featuring a 'walking' forest in Leeuwarden.

INSPIRATION Kick Off

During the conference, Prof. Matthijs Schouten and the Youth Core Team delved into the nature of humans and how to establish a true partnership with nature. The Youth Core Team has also created a captivating film titled "Connection with Nature" through Amethist media, which highlights the importance of humans' connection with nature.

In preparation for the conference, the Youth Core Team reached out to other young people in their network to gather their thoughts on the nature-human relationship and ways to create a partnership between the two. Don't miss "Dreams of European Youth," a film produced by Amethist media, which captures these young people's aspirations.

"It's wonderful to see young people expressing their belief that we should strive to improve the harmony between nature and man," .

"This is a critical issue that our leaders can take action on right away."

- Matthijs Schouten

Landscape Festival

The primary objectives of the conference include networking, knowledge transfer, and information exchange. Additionally, the Landscape Festival offered conference attendees the opportunity to learn about innovative developments, new approaches, and useful methods and techniques for nature management and related areas. The Landscape Festival was designed to facilitate an immersive experience for participants.

National Parks, Protected Areas, Periurban Areas, Management and Implementation Organisations, EUROPARC Sections, EUROPARC Commissions, partners and entrepreneurs presented their latest innovative products, processes and applications in the field of nature management and nature experience.

Pitches

At this year's Landscape Festival, we had a unique twist – all participants were given a chance to present a short and exciting pitch on any topic of their choice. Here are some of the highlights:

• IVN: Create your own ‘National Parc Garden’
  
• Fosonline: Using the Conservation Standards for PA (network) planning and management
  
• Goede Vissers: Inclusive conservation strategies
  
• IVN: Magical Moments through Connection & Teamwork
  
• Digitize the Planet: How to communicate your park's rules digitally
  
• IVN: Reciprocity in Human-Nature Relationship
  
• Wad van Waarde by House of Design
  
• Grendel Games: YIMBY: Fostering citizens' interest and engagement in urban planning and landscape design using video game technology
  
• Earth Ranger
  
• To create bufferzones around N2000, landconsolidation a option
  
• IVN: Every National Park has its own great stories
  
• Netics: Solutions for re-use of dredge sediment into useful applications (Wadden Sea project)
  
• Weerribben Wieden: Explore the National Park in a new way.
  
• Axionomic; Robinson Counter: Real Time monitoring of visitors (GDPR-proof)
  
• Nature Returns: Bringing innovative business as a solution to site management
  

Click here for a detailed description of the pitches.

OPENING

To kick off the conference, Toos and Evert performed a custom composition titled "Footsteps in the Sand." The youth core team joined in and sang along with the refrain.

Remember to also take a look at "Footsteps in the Sand" movie!

kEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Princess Laurentien van Oranje

Director & Co-Founder number 5 foundation and Special Advisor for Rewilding Europe.

She is a social entrepreneur, writer, strategist and dialogue facilitator. Her work revolves around social and ecological innovation and intergenerational dialogue on socio-economic issues.

Junior ranger and Youth+ have planted a future tree - a Kings linden tree - to celebrate 50 years EUROPARC Federation in NP Drents-Friese Wold and NP Weerribben-Wieden. Princess Laurentien van Oranje was presented a sign for the tree.

Click here for the film of planting the future tree.

Signing of partnership agreement EUROPARC Federation and Rewilding Europe

An exciting new partnership between Rewilding Europe and the EUROPARC Federation will help many to create the enabling conditions for wilder nature, delivering essential benefits for people, biodiversity and climate.

By focusing on the restoration of natural processes, and working to support and scale up the comeback of European wildlife species that is already happening in many parts of the continent, we can really amplify the benefits such areas deliver, such as clean air, fresh water, and the locking up of atmospheric carbon.

For more information click here.

Mr. Virginius Sinkevicius

Mr. Virginius Sinkevicius.

European / Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries ; 2017-2019. For Minister of Economy and Innovation, Lithuania ; 2016-2019.

What is the significance of the Green Deal and European Nature Restoration legislation for our common future? What are the opportunities for nature, biodiversity and people? How can governments and protected areas, at European level (European Union) and within countries, cooperate and strengthen each other to achieve these objectives.

You can find here the video message from Mr. Virginius Sinkevicius.

Ms. Geertje van Hooijdonk

On behalf of outgoing Minister van der Wal keynote by Ms. Geertje van Hooijdonk, Director for Nature and deputy Director-General for Nature and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

Enhancing Biodiversity through Collaboration

During her presentation, Louise Vet shared her expertise on biodiversity and highlighted the human impact on the delicate balance between nature and society.

Our Landscape: learning from the past, preparing for the future

nature

Prof Dr. Ir. Theo Spek

(University of Groningen, Centre for Landscape Studies, The Netherlands) together with students Lydia van der Krogt and Aaron Mighels

Earth

Man

See here for the complete presentation of Theo, Lydia and Aaron.

“All European National Parks are the result of the interactions of earth, man and nature. It is essential to value the important human influence on biodiversity and to recognize that the highest levels of biodiversity are reached in well-balanced human-influenced ecosystems. This should inspire us to pay serious attention to semi-natural and cultural landscapes in our National Parks" .

- Theo Spek

Learning from 50 years of EUROPARC

Retrospective Reflections on EUROPARC Federation's Legacy.

During this informative session, the current president, Michael Hošek, along with the five former presidents of the EUROPARC Federation, Patrizia Rossi, Michael Starrett, Erika Stanciu, Thomas Hansson and Ignace Schops, discussed how to build on the organization's legacy. They explored the valuable lessons learned from the past that can serve as a guide for shaping the future.

What is EUROPARC for you? See the film of 50 years EUROPARC here.

Engaging Workshops Centered on "Tribute to Our Landscape" Theme

The workshop leaders hosted 12 interactive sessions, each covering unique topics which related to the main theme of "tribute to our landscape, where nature and people meet in harmony". The workshops facilitated an environment of knowledge-sharing and learning from one another. Special thanks to the young people who provided a summary of each workshop.

If you are interested in the presentations and outcomes of the workshops, please check the EUROPARC Federation website via this link.

Market Place

"A place to meet and to share information”.

Fieldtrips

We visited a wide range of National Parks and protected areas to look at the different landscape features of the Netherlands.

Exploring National Parks and Protected Areas

To learn more about our National Parks and Protected Areas, click on the orange dots.

A Cultural Event

Exploring the Natural Historic Museum

After an exciting day, we had a chance to discover the wonders of the Natural Historic Museum.

The museum features the natural beauty of the Dutch province of Friesland with four floors of exhibits showcasing various animals, plants, games, and other activities to discover the beauty of nature in Fryslan.

It was the ideal venue to end a perfect day of exploration.

We indulged in a traditional Dutch dinner at the Frisian Museum of Natural History.

Concert Nynke Laverman

What do you get when you give a plant plenty of love? It blossoms like crazy!

In the evening we listened to the music of Nynke Laverman. Nynke Laverman blurs boundaries. With producer and percussionist Sytze Pruiksma, she creates adventurous, atmospheric music with an unmistakable message.

Welcome and where are we now?

Neil McIntosh and Esther Bossink look back over the past few days and come to the following conclusion:

“How Our Experiences

Shape Our Values“

Connecting landscape ‘Experience and Education’

Kristian Bjornstad took us through Nature for nature, Nature for society and Nature as culture. A way of thinking to get more clarity on how we create harmony between nature and people.

More information from the IPBES/Nature Futures Framework can be found here.

Inspiration Sessions

After a week-long conference, our team was excited to take a break from our usual routine and soak up fresh ideas. We explored a variety of relevant topics, from emerging developments in national parks to on-the-ground management practices employed by different organizations. To learn more about our inspiring sessions, click here.

Plenary Completion Meeting

Conference Statement

To ensure a lasting impact, as well as to underline the united voice of the EUROPARC Network, a Conference Statement was created. It is a statement of intent, as well as a call to action, to increase harmony between nature and people. Through seven ‘steps’, the statement serves both as an inspiration, as well as a practical guide on how Europe’s Protected Areas can lead the way to a greener, healthier and harmonised future.

1. Past – Present – Future

Understanding our past and present helps us to work towards the future: the future we need and want. The connection between nature and culture manifests in diverse landscapes that change over time, whilst respecting our natural heritage and all life. Preserving landscapes’ core values for the future reconfirms and conserves our link to previous generations.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. storytelling: let old people tell it how it was, how we did in the past and listen now

. can our core values actually be sustained?

. discuss and inspire partners/stakeholders and identify the unheard voice

. landscape biography and culture heritage is the base for future plans

2. Harmony with Nature

Living in harmony with nature, a stable climate and no pollution, requires a change in human attitudes and actions. We recognise the impact of humans on the landscape and nature and current dis-harmony that exists between people and non-human nature in many places in Europe. Many people and cultures have forgotten or lost their place within global ecosystems. Climate and biodiversity cannot wait any longer: we stress that nature is the foundation of our existence.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. work to broaden realisation that we are a part of nature and understanding our interdependence

. live more back to basic (sustainable) and decrease your footprint

. more NP/PA’s to improve the biodiversity

. put it on the political agenda and vote for nature

3. Contact and interconnectedness with nature

Go out there and spend time in nature. We have different experiences and backgrounds. However,

appreciating nature and all its diversity is crucial to recognise its value to human society. Storytelling

can inspire a growing understanding of nature's importance for our health, food, water and air.

Share beautiful and connecting stories.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. storytelling: who can communicate can inspire and tell stories / storytelling to new audience

. take your family and friends out and tell them about nature, attar their knowledge and let them experience nature

. bring nature back in cities (3 trees visible in every window)

. use culture and singing to tell about nature

4. Knowledge

Even if humans know about nature, they tend not to act accordingly. Scientific knowledge and practical experience often stay in closed circles, instead of reaching out to people, beyond a “green bubble”. There is a need to reach consumers, business owners or other stakeholders. Behaviour change is necessary.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. improve environmental education programmes

. theory and practise at the same time

. connecting knowledge to personal experience

5. Be Amazed, Protect and Educate

Continue to marvel at nature and landscape beauty. Protected Areas have an essential educational role in reconnecting society with nature. You want to protect what you know and love. We need comprehensive approaches and cooperation to foster continuous environmental protection and nature education at European, national and regional levels. We need to work with the education sector to learn together - to share more between those knowledgeable in nature, heritage interpretation, environment and other areas.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. creating magical moments for children and adults

. go into schools and ask about the needs! / listening to children

. guided walks, free transport, meetings outdoor

. drinkable rivers

. involve visiting NP/PA’s in the school curriculum especially the sustainable lifes

6. Everywhere and all of the time

Nature exists everywhere: in natural areas, cultural landscapes, cities and towns - they are all connected. We should seek better links between such areas, by collaborating with managers, users, residents and other organisations. New technology can help, but it should be supportive rather than controlling.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. make nature be part of every decision

. it is not what you say, it’s what you do!

. dare to surprise people

. stop talking and start acting!

. bring the lessons of the kindergarten to all of us

7. Start and act now

We know that our landscapes face many challenges: overexploitation, intensification of uses, pollution, biodiversity loss, effects of climate change and loss of cultural heritage. Protected landscapes need to be pilot areas for integrated solutions. Let’s take the action needed now to move from fear towards hope. Creating a better, more natural world together must begin now. Not only should we focus on our current perspectives, we need intergenerational interaction where young and old learn together, share achievements and improvements, for a common future.

A roadmap for change is needed, with everyone playing a role, individually and collaboratively.

A small selection of participants' reactions:

. break the routines

. ask uncomfortable questions

. seek new and unconventional partners

. change the mindset, myself and neighbours

. press article preparing and send them to newspaper

. living with less / live with less / consume less and share more / peer-to-peer

. share your magical moments with 5 people on Monday

. take wild gardening tips home and tell everyone

. celebrate local myths and history / use local knowledge

. target young and old separately, but think them together

. take risks and try out new things

Award Ceremony

The Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship

Since 2002, the EUROPARC Federation, with support from the Alfred Toepfer Foundation, awards three Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships each year to promising young conservationists, who are committed to working for the benefit of Protected Areas. The scholarships enables successful applicants to undertake a study visit on a particular theme to Protected Areas in European countries.

This year's winners were:

• Emmanuelle Deon
• Hayden Bridgeman
  
• Lucia Ursu

ALFRED TOEPFER MEDAL

The EUROPARC Council agreed, that the 2023 Alfred Toepfer Medal should be awarded to someone whose work has been fundamental to our organisation. That is why it was clear that this year’s Alfred Toepfer Medal should be awarded to the late Prof. Dr. Hans Köpp, who worked alongside Alfred Toepfer in EUROPARC’s formative years in the 1970s. Herr Köpp sadly passed away in June 2023, however EUROPARC was fortunate enough to be able to invite his son Dr. Matthias Köpp to accept the award in his fathers’ behalf during the Award Ceremony at the EUROPARC Conference 2023 in Leeuwarden. Click here for more information.

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The Award Ceremony was also the time to renew the EUROPARC Sections Partnership Agreement. Representatives of all Sections signed the new partnership agreements to ensure better coherency between EUROPARC and its Sections.

Closing dinner and 50th Anniversary Party

Reflecting on the Interactive and High-Energy EUROPARC Conference 2023

The EUROPARC Conference 2023 was a resounding success, and we are proud to reflect on its achievements. We look back on a successful Conference, where we made a clear statement of our intentions and discussed actions to promote harmony between nature and people. Let's now work together to achieve the goals we outlined in our statement and create a greener, healthier and harmonised future.

We are thrilled to have received positive feedback from many participants and extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the conference in any way.

As EUROPARC moves forward into the next 50 years, let us strive for a more mature relationship with nature, promoting sustainability for current and future generations. For the sake of all living beings.

,

Board Foundation Organisation

EUROPARC Conference 2023:

Hendrik R. Oosterveld (chairman)

Henk van Hooft (member)

Karin Zegwaard (co-ordinator)

Jan van de Venis (member).

“Amazing organisation and variety of communication, events, presentations and sessions”

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