This Friday, in commemoration of European National Parks Day 2024the National Park Network and the Autonomous National Parks Organization (OAPN)belonging to Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO)join their voices claim the importance of these protected nature reserves.
It has been 25 years since, at the request of the EUROPARC federationMay 24 was established as the day to commemorate protected areas across Europe, which coincided with the date of establishment of the first National Park in Europe (Sweden, 1909).
European Day of National Parks 2024: the motto proposed by EUROPARC is “Vote for nature”
This year, The motto proposed by EUROPARC is “Vote for nature”in an appeal to citizens in the run-up to the European elections to be held from 6 to 9 June.
Today we want to extend this motto to the 16 national parks that are part of the Network. A call to think about the importance of preserving them because of their beauty or uniqueness, but also because of the bond that exists between these areas and humansand its contribution to improving humanity’s quality of life.
To appreciate the diversity of these areas, Each park organizes its own party, with different activities for the general public. A decision that parks across the European continent are following. With this annual commemoration we want to bring nature and the importance of these protected areas to society.
16 national parks covering a land area of 488,351 hectares of land and 96,767 marine hectares
Spain occupies a prominent place in the field of nature conservation and has its flag 16 national parks covering a land area of 488,351 hectares of land and 96,767 marine hectaresrepresenting 0.7% of the territory and 0.09% of our marine waters.
National parks not only harbor biodiversity and cultural values, but also act as essential reserves of ecosystem services for humanity. They are areas where the effects of climate change can be studied, laboratories where advanced scientific research can be conducted and spaces to promote the enjoyment and well-being of society.