Every year on May 24, the European Day of Parks is celebrated throughout Europe, a day to raise awareness of the importance of protected areas for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. This year’s theme: “Together for Nature!” invites us to explore the vital partnerships that keep nature healthy inside and outside protected areas.
Protected Areas are more than just boundaries on a map—they are living, thriving systems where everything is connected. From the plants and animals that call them home to the people who live in, care for and shape these landscapes, everyone has a role in this shared “partnership of life.” But the health of these areas doesn’t stop at the borders of Protected Areas. What happens beyond their boundaries deeply influences the ecosystems within.
So it’s clear that we all need to work together to achieve the best outcomes for nature and people, and to ensure the resilience of these special places in a changing world.
At Plitvice Lakes National Park, we will again this year introduce our young people to the conservation of our rich natural heritage with the “Junior Rangers” educational program. We will conduct the program on May 26 with about 40 8th grade students from Plitvička Jezera Elementary School and Eugen Kvaternik Elementary School (Rakovica).
By raising interest in nature conservation among young people, we give our protected areas and the preservation of natural heritage a bright future, and we think this is the right way to celebrate the European Day of Parks.
