EUROPARC NORDIC-BALTIC SECTION

Cover picture: Open grazing land is a mosaic that allows for and maintains a diversity of species. Hornborgasjön Nature Reserve, Sweden Jonas Forsberg/N – Naturfotograferna

A rich bird life allows for exciting nature experiences. Large numbers of visitors, however, put pressure on the protected area management to construct facilities for birdwatching. Cranes in Hornborgasjön Nature Reserve, Sweden Erling Schön/N – Naturfotograferna

The EUROPARC Nordic-Baltic Section – working to strengthen and unify nature protection across borders

The EUROPARC Nordic-Baltic Section is part of the EUROPARC Federation, a pan-European organisation with more than 500 members in 39 countries, dedicated to nature conservation. The Nordic-Baltic Section works with protected areas and their partners in the eight Nordic and Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. It gives everyone working for and with these special places a chance to be part of a wider international network and to work together to look after Europe’s precious natural heritage. The Nordic-Baltic Section has an expanding membership of more than 40 organisations. A wealth of experience and expertise from protected areas and nature conservation is shared and disseminated in the Section. The Nordic-Baltic Section has a coordinator, office and work programme reflecting the EUROPARC Federation’s aims and purposes. The Section presidency rotates between the Nordic and Baltic countries every three years.

Herd of muskoxen. Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway Jonas Forsberg/N – Naturfotograferna

Areas of cooperation There are three priority areas of cooperation in the Nordic-Baltic Section: 1. Management of protected areas The Nordic-Baltic Section will contribute to the improved management of protected areas in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Activities will aim to increase the exchange of experience and knowledge between protected area practitioners. Workshops and seminars are arranged on specific management topics. Visitor management and nature interpretation is a priority area, as well as research and monitoring.

2. Sustainable tourism in protected areas EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism is a practical management tool which helps protected areas to continuously improve the sustainable development and management of tourism, taking into account the needs of the environment, the local population and the local tourism businesses. To promote sustainable tourism in protected areas the Section supports and facilitates certified Charter Parks. The Section also promotes the European Charter among the EUROPARC Nordic-Baltic members.

White Stork Kemeri National Park, Latvia

Ola Jennersten/N – Naturfotograferna

3. Transboundary cooperation EUROPARC works with Transboundary Parks – following nature’s design. The Nordic-Baltic Section will contribute to better management of transboundary protected areas in the member countries. It will further develop already established cooperation in transboundary regions and support potential new transboundary cooperation.

European Day of Parks The Section will promote the celebration of European Day of Parks on May 24 in the members’ protected areas.

Working groups The Section will support and develop working groups and their activities.

Haymaking. Matsalu Nature Reserve, Estonia

Ola Jennersten/N – Naturfotograferna

Working modes The Nordic-Baltic Section will above all function as a forum for information exchange, as well as a forum for capacitybuilding and communication of best practices. Cooperation, communication and networking are key words in the daily work.

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Upcoming events of interest to the members will be highlighted through the Section.

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Topical workshops will be arranged by the Section in cooperation with member organisations.

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Exchange of staff for capacity-building and information exchange will be supported and facilitated by the Section.

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The Section will provide the members with help in finding project partners for projects within the Nordic-Baltic member countries and in relation with other EUROPARC ­sections.

Färnebofjärden National Park, Sweden

Mats Wilhelm/N – Naturfotograferna

What EUROPARC members have to say “EUROPARC brings an international dimension to the day-to-day work in the park.” Kari Lahti, Oulanka National Park, Finland

“The EUROPARC network gives opportunities for international cooperation, experience exchange and networks useful for the process of establishing new national parks.” Lena Tingström, Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Other members of the EUROPARC network use our experience of wetland conservation and we can learn from their experiences.”

“It is inspiring to meet colleagues from other protected areas and exchange skills with protected area managers in our neighbor Nordic and Baltic countries.”

Juris Jatnieks, Teici Nature Reserve, Latvia

Eugenijus Drobelis, Dzukija national Park, Lithuania

EUROPARC Nordic-Baltic Section [email protected] www.europarc-nb.org

EUROPARC Federation Kröllstraβe 5, Postfach 1153 94475 Grafenau GERMANY [email protected] www.europarc.org ISBN 978-91-620-8409-7 Tryck: CM Gruppen AB, Bromma 2009