EUROPARC & Eurosite
A second meeting of the Organisational Development Committee (ODC) took place in the Netherlands on 24th April. The ODC was formed jointly by the EUROPARC Federation and Eurosite to fulfil the mandate resulting from both organisations' General Assemblies in 2012 to create a new network organisation for nature. After its meeting a positive communiqué on progress towards establishing the new network was issued.
EAI NEWS
Sustainable tourism
EAI's sustainable tourism and Charter
network met on Friday 10th May in Birmingham. The focus of the meeting was the certification of businesses in the context of the
European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas. We were delighted to have with us Harold Goodwin from Leeds Metropolitan University and Andrea Nicholas from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, who provided highly valuable insights.
A report of the meeting, attended by 17 people from across the UK, will be available online shortly. Some revisions of EAI's "Part II" methodology are also planned.
Young Rangers
We are preparing a good practice guide for running young ranger schemes that will be published in the summer.
Coastal and Marine
We are scheduling a networking meeting to focus on the interactions between the southern marine plan and coastal protected landscapes.
Volunteering
Volunteer managers from protected landscapes in Wales and Northern Ireland will be undertaking study visits to Iceland and Spain as part of the EU Grundtvig
Volunteer Management in European Parks project.
Webinar plans
We are working on plans to offer regular webinars. More details to come shortly.
For more details on any aspect of the EAI work programme or how to get involved, please contact Richard Blackman.You can also find us on Twitter @EFAtlanticIsles.
FEDERATION NEWS
2013 is a special year as it marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the EUROPARC Federation.
European Day of Parks 2013
This year's European Day of Parks on 24th May takes place around the theme of
"My Park. My Passion. My Story". Protected landscapes across Europe are invited to use the opportunity of this Europe-wide day of celebration to organise activities and events in which people's commitment and passion for their protected area can take centre stage. The Federation's communications team has been preparing a variety of promotional materials to use.
EUROPARC 2013
Registration for
EUROPARC 2013 is now open. The event will be held from 9th - 13th October in Debrecen, Hungary, hosted by the Hortobagy National Park. Focus of the event is "40 Years Working for Nature". Early bird registration runs until 30th June.
European Youth Conference
EUROPARC is again hosting a
youth conference to run in parallel with EUROPARC 2013 in Hungary. There are still places available for young people between the ages of 17 and 21.
Siggen Seminar
The Federation is hosting its annual
Siggen Seminar from 2nd - 5th September. This year's theme is the 'Purpose and Process of Management Planning for Protected Areas'.
Health and Protected Areas Working Group
The Federation's working group on Health and Protected Areas is to meet in Edinburgh from 20th - 21st June.
PUBLICATIONS
Climate Change
The Living with Environmental Change Partnership has just published itsTerrestrial Biodiversity Climate Change Impact
Report Cards, which have shown clear evidence of species moving north as a result of climate change.
Wild Land in Scotland
SNH has published a new map of the
main wild land areas in Scotland.
Air Quality
The EEA has just published '
Every breath we take', on improving air quality in Europe.
POLICY NEWS
Protecting bees
The European Commission is to restrict the use of
neonicotinoid pesticides for two years.
Green Infrastructure
On 6th May the European Commission adopted a new
strategy on Green Infrastructure.
CONSULTATIONS
Scottish Government
A
consultation on a Strategy for Scotland's historic environment has been announced by the Scottish Government. Deadline for submissions is 31st July.
AWARDS
Europa Nostra
Deadline for submissions to the
EU Prize for Cultural Heritage is 9th September.
Tourism in Wales
The deadline for the
National Tourism Awards for Wales has been extended to 22nd May.
Creative Places
Tourism and arts businesses in Scotland can apply for a
Creative Place Award. Deadline for declaring intention to apply is 5th July.
