PARKS & BENEFITS: results of BSR Charter processes are taking shape

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1 Project newsletter, 5 th edition, July 14 th, 2011 PARKS & BENEFITS: results of BSR Charter processes are taking shape Dear partners and friends of the PARKS & BENEFITS Project, our project is coming to its "final stage", which means that a number of activities run at full speed, to be completed both within the project lifetime as well as in high quality. I particularly want to highlight the efforts of our park partners, who now go through the final steps on their way to the European Charter - certainly the main business of the whole project. In addition, I also would like to mention those project partners who invest in the areas of accessibility for all", "visitor-monitoring" and "GPS-based visitor management as well as the colleagues working on the benefits monitor. Initial results will be generated throughout the summer. Last but not least, the preparations for our final event taking place on 10 October 2011 on Rügen (northeast Germany) and the development of our final brochure are in full swing. We are on track completing the remaining tasks with great passion. Have a nice summer! Olaf Ostermann 1

2 1. PROJECT INTERNAL 1.1 Review of the 6 th project meeting in Riga / Apšuciems village, Latvia The 6 th meeting of the PARKS & BENEFITS partnership was held in March 2011 in Latvia, closely linked to the Baltic Nature Tourism Conference organised by the project partner Lauku Celotajs. On March the Baltic Nature Tourism Conference took place in Riga to illustrate management models of protected areas adapted in Europe and the Baltic Sea Region countries to balance economic activities, including tourism, and nature conservation. The event gathered 260 registered participants. On the second day of the conference the Parks&Benefits project workshop "The Benefits of Protected Areas was held to present the project progress and results to national and international participants. The key message was that the Charter process is useful for the parks as it stimulates local involvement. Furthermore the European Charter certification process is especially recommendable for newly established nature protected areas. However, while the European Charter does not provide solutions to all issues, it is still worth taking the effort as it provides a number of opportunities and advantages in dealing with local processes, visitor impact monitoring and marketing. For conference program, speaker presentations and summary as well as photo gallery, visit the conference web site: After the conference the Parks & Benefits partners as well as further participants came to Kemeri National Park to experience the specific beauty & history of the area on two guided excursions before the 6 th partner meeting was opened on March 24, 2011in Apšuciems village. The focus of this meeting was clearly put on the Charter processes carried out on local level in the partner parks, the development of a common visitor management strategy & the discussion of strategies for a low impact transport system network. All discussions & presentations reflect a deep involvement in the issues and good exchange among the partners. The results are now being processed and edited and summarised in action plans & a common strategy. For more information on the outcomes of the 6 th PARKS & BENEFITS project meeting please visit: The final event & 7 th meeting of the PARKS & BENEFITS partnership is scheduled to take place October 10 th 14 th, 2011 in Sellin, GER. 2

3 1.2 Müritz National Park awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas Great news is reaching us from the Müritz National Park (GER). They have just received the positive feedback from the Evaluation Committee that they have been awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. After Dovrefjell National Park (NOR) Müritz National Park is the second PARKS & BENEFITS park to receive this award. They have worked intensively last year to fulfill the requirements and meet the deadline to submit the application in mid-december The appointed verifier visited the park area in spring 2011 filing a report to be submitted to the Evaluation Committee, meeting in early summer With the positive committee decision, the Charter will be awarded at the annual Europarc Conference in September In early June 2011 another park has submitted its dossier to Europarc Consulting. A verifier to visit Kemeri National Park (LV) is already appointed. The visit will most likely take place in early September The award of the Charter if successful will be officially made in September All other parks among them Kurtuvenai Regional Park, Zemaitija National Park (both LT), Maribo Lakes Nature Park (DK) and Biosphere Reserve Southeast Rügen (GER) continue the work on their 5 year strategies and action plans planning to submit the applications in August The evaluation visits will then be scheduled for spring 2012; if successful these parks will be awarded in September PARTNER NEWS 2.1 Seminar on nature tourism products (Latvian Country Tourism Association, LV) On May 23, 2011, a practical outdoor seminar took place in the Ėemeri National Park, LV. The programme addressed rural tourism providers and staff of protected nature sites to discuss the specifics of nature tourism products and to demonstrate how nature tours are guided. The seminar was a good follow-up and continuation to the winter seminar programmes when the same lecturers nature guides who are also professional biologists, ornithologists, entomologists - shared their experience and knowledge in how to organise nature tours. It was great success, and the audience requested practical continuation to learn how nature tours actually are guided. 3

4 34 participants attended this seminar. The group was unexpectedly large so all persons needed to be equipped with earphones to follow the guides stories. The sessions took place in marshlands, by the lake KaĦiera, in the pine forest and in sites where beavers have turned forest into swamp. Each of the specialised nature guides talked about plants, birds, animals and insects found there. The day ended at the guest house Valguma Pasaule, the former recreation centre of the Soviet government officials in Latvia. The participants discussed impressions of the day and enjoyed hot soup made on bonfire. 2.2 Certified partner of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen (GER) The first three partners of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen have received their official certificates. Among them are the organizers of the Rügen-market Thiessow, Jürgen Kasüske, Thomas Kliesow of the Mönchgut distillery "Zur Strandburg" and nature guide Rene Geyer. Another ten companies on the island have also expressed an interest in becoming a certified partner of the Biosphere Reserve. The assignment of the certificate took place after an examination, done by a regional committee, which consists of representatives from county, tourist board Rügen, German Hotel and Restaurant Association, Chamber of Commerce as well as the advisory board and management of the Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen. The certified partner companies have declared to develop high quality and environment friendly offers, to improve them continuously and to offer guests an appealing variety of nature tourism products. In German biosphere reserves, national parks and nature reserves well over 500 companies in the lodging and catering, transport, guided tours and numerous other tourist service providers are already awarded to be partner companies of their national natural landscape. The companies are ambassadors for the protection and preservation of their territory and meet high quality standards. 4

5 2.3 Nature invites you on a way to become an annual get together of nature lovers & tourism stakeholders in Ėemeri National Park, (LV) The first Saturday of May was very special in Ėemeri National Park and for its managing institution - Nature Conservation Agency Pieriga Regional administration. as it was time again for the common event of the Parks and Benefits project under the slogan Nature invites you!. The key message this years common event was to open the door of Ėemeri National Park and present the variety of activities, the amazing many-sidedness and abundance of surprises of this territory. The large amount of positive responses of visitors and the activities of local tourism stakeholders are laying good grounds for this event to become an annual tradition, bringing together nature lovers and tourism stakeholders of Kemeri National Park at the beginning of the peak season to remind everyone of the many treasures and secrets to be discovered here in Ėemeri National Park. Come and enjoy slowly! 18 different activities among them outdoor nature education classes, excursions with guides off the beaten track, bicycle, canoeing and Nordic walking tours in different parts of Ėemeri National Park took place during the day, attended by about 200 people. The event was topped by a cheerful outdoor party and picnic together with local folk-group. For the first time, Ėemeri National Park bus was running along a set route, taking people to and from the points of activities and providing the chance to travel more sustainably. Being the second one in Latvia in the project lifetime, it was the first one following the concept of Travellers Day invented by the Country Tourism Association Lauku CeĜotājs, also a Latvian project partner. The concept comprises a special side-program which was offered for media representatives to promote some of the most attractive and significant sites in the Ėemeri National Park. 30 journalists participated in the media trip achieving good media coverage and publicity. 2.4 Region Zealand: Regional analysis on nature parks and tourism (DK) A regional analysis has been carried out in Region Zealand (DK) on nature parks as a potential for green tourism. Currently 3 nature areas are established as regional parks, others are in the process to become regional parks or national parks (in a general term called nature parks ). The analysis shows that the region has a potential of at least 27 nature parks of regional or national importance. 5

6 Most foreign tourists visit Region Zealand, because of the beauty of the landscape and its content of nature, although it is very much influenced by man. Each year tourists spend more than 1 billion Euros within the region, creating more than full time jobs in the tourism industry. Nature parks have the potential of branding important protected nature areas, so the tourist will more easily identify areas of high quality concerning nature, as well as information and trail systems. The nature parks can be connected in a system of green corridors providing best conditions for wild animals and plants to spread. Four types of corridors have been identified in the study: 1. coast 2. forest 3. dry habitats (mainly grassland) and 4. wet habitats (marshes, ponds, etc). The planning of a "green infrastructure" can contribute to stop the loss of biodiversity. Furthermore the corridors will offer trails for outdoor recreation. The analysis was performed by a consultant: Biomedia, with expertise in biogeography, nature interpretation and similar. Closely connected and involved in the work was the Regional Network of Nature Parks within Region Zealand. The network consists mainly of professionals from the municipalities, Roskilde University, the nature parks and Region Zealand. The work was discussed and presented for the network, and the findings discussed. This created an inspiring process. Knowledge from partners in the Parks & Benefits project was used, and the Europarc concept of Sustainable Tourism in nature parks presented. In particular examples from Lithuania and Germany were used as both countries have a two-level-system with nature parks on a national and a regional level. This system is also gradually applied in Denmark, although Denmark has been a late starter compared with most other countries in Europe (first national park in 2009). On 12 March 2011 a regional seminar with approximately 60 participants was held in Karrebæksminde, DK. The seminar was mainly attended by representatives from NGOs, rangers and local citizen groups discussing how to support sustainable tourism in nature parks and how to use the results in a wider context. The main outcomes have also been presented to 3 professional networks within Region Zealand. The report (in Danish) can be found on the following For more information please contact: Jan Woollhead, Region Zealand, jw@regionsjaelland.dk. 2.5 Tourism board Mecklenburg Lake District celebrates its 20ieth anniversary (GER) On 16 May 2011 the regional Tourist Board of the Mecklenburg Lake District celebrated its 20th anniversary in Waren/ Müritz. As part of this ceremony, the new general principle for tourism development for the Land of the Thousand Lakes & the Müritz National Park was introduced. The mission statement was elaborated in cooperation with 50 local stakeholders in the course of the charter process carried out between 2009 and In addition to the Mecklenburg Lake District Tourism Board and the Müritz National Park tourism representatives of the region as well as regional planning authorities and municipalities were also involved. The process was supported by the private consulting agency dwif Consulting GmbH Berlin. 6

7 The defined guidelines are clear and purposeful: The tourism destination Mecklenburg Lake District will become a strong brand in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern The region is characterized by a multitude of lakes and national natural landscapes in which nature, health tourism and cultural tourism should be further developed The unique landscape and nature reserves are an important basis and should be preserved and protected in the long term In order to increase the competitiveness the focus will be put on service, innovation and permanent quality improvement In the future there will be more all-season-offers to strengthen the attractiveness of the region for visitors and locals The regional population will profit from the improvements in tourism The impact of the socio-demographic structure should be controlled regularly The Tourism Board also presented the new corporate design of the association which is already integrated into the new website In recent months the brochure "Walking in the Land of Thousand Lakes" has been in high demand. This brochure describes the Müritz National Park hiking trail and 14 other hiking trails in details providing information on length & highlights of the tour. Due to very low remaining stock a second edition is currently being discussed. The general principle for tourism development, the internet presentation and the brochure on regional hiking trails were supported financially by the Parks & Benefits project. 2.6 Test run on the Vecslocene river (LV) On April 11, a test run of a boating trip on the Vecslocene River in the Kemeri National Park was organised to assess the possibilities of being included in tourism offers. Spring flood is the perfect boating season in such small rivers as water gets low later in summer. The river meanders through meadows and forests providing good living conditions for beavers. As soon as it gets warmer, on a quiet spring evening, there are good chances to watch them. This test run was part of the preparation of the National Parks Guide in Latvia. The publication will focus not only on environmental values, but also on recreational ones, informing visitors about services and facilities allowing to enjoy nature in the national parks of Latvia. 7

8 3. PROJECT RELATED NEWS 3.1 Registration for EUROPARC 2011 is open! The registration for the EUROPARC annual conference this year opened on May 2nd. The conference is entitled Quality Counts Benefits for Nature and People and it will take place from 21st 25th September in the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve in Southern Germany. The registration form & detailed programme can be obtained on the conference website including excursion and workshop descriptions. A plethora of great key note speakers and presenters have already confirmed their attendance among them Prof Klaus Töpfer, Prof Beate Jessel, Prof Miranda Schreurs, Prof Fritz Brickwedde and other national and international representatives. As well as these great key note speakers the conference offers participants the opportunity to take part in workshops covering an array of themes around the topic of the conference Quality Counts, excursions that will show you the best parts of the biosphere reserve, evening events, the EUROPARC General Assembly including the council elections, and exhibitions. Please also join us for the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of EUROPARC Germany on the third evening where will present you with a buffet, which will boast products from across Germany, supplied by the German National Natural Landscapes. For more information and to register for the event please visit the conference website. Questions regarding the organisation of the conference should be directed to info@europarc2011.com. PARKS & BENEFITS project management Sandra Fieber c/o animare projektmanagement tourismus Rosa- Luxemburg- Straße 14 D Rostock Tel: 0381/ Fax: 0381/ sandra.fieber@animare.net Rostock: 2011/07/14 8