European day of Parks

The European Day of Parks was established by the EUROPARC Federation in 1999 as a shared European celebration of protected areas. The date, May 24th, commemorates the declaration of the first nine national parks in Sweden in 1909, marking Europe’s pioneering role in nature conservation.
Since then, the initiative has spread to dozens of countries, with hundreds of parks and reserves participating each year. It is accompanied by excursions, public events, and expert discussions.
A key message of the day is that nature conservation is not only about preservation, but also about reconnecting people with the landscape.

Purpose of the Initiative

The main goal is to highlight the value of protected areas – their ecological, cultural, and societal importance. The Day of Parks encourages the public to reflect on the role nature plays in our daily lives.
It also promotes the active involvement of local communities in nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural heritage. Moreover, it strengthens a shared European identity through the joint effort to safeguard wild landscapes.
The initiative also reminds us that protected areas are crucial tools in addressing crises – from biodiversity loss to climate adaptation.

Please also read: European day of parks 

Theme for 2025: “Voice of Nature”

The theme “Voice of Nature” emphasizes the need to listen sensitively to the natural environment and respond to its changing state. It reminds us that nature does not speak with words, but its signs – species decline, extreme weather – are clear warnings.
It calls for integrating nature’s voice into decisions – from regional planning to personal everyday choices. This year’s activities in parks will focus on education, landscape storytelling, and youth engagement.
The theme also supports the creation of spaces for dialogue among science, the public, and policy-makers in protecting our natural heritage.

Importance for Austria

Austria is one of the leaders in nature conservation in Central Europe, with an extensive system of national parks, biosphere reserves, and NATURA 2000 sites. Local park administrations have long combined conservation with environmental education and sustainable tourism.
National parks such as Gesäuse, Hohe Tauern, and Neusiedler See – Seewinkel are model examples of cooperation between the state, regions, and the public. The European Day of Parks is also seen here as a call to strengthen the climate resilience of protected areas.
It also highlights the need to balance increasing recreational use of the landscape with the preservation of its ecological integrity.

Conclusion

The European Day of Parks is a reminder that natural heritage is not a given. It’s an opportunity to see nature with fresh eyes – as a partner whose voice deserves to be heard.
In times of environmental challenges, listening to nature is not only a sign of respect, but a foundation for wise decisions for the future.