Towards more cross-border nature parks

User
Lucas Gandolfo
10 Birželis 2024 - atnaujinta prieš 1 week

Historically, a country's national borders have been defined by various natural
features – a hydrographic feature, a significant positive relief such as a mountain
chain, or a plant cover such as a forest, are a few examples. Borders, however, are a human construction. The biosphere does not stop at such administrative
boundaries. Recently, our awareness of the need to promote environmental
conservation has led to the creation of protected natural parks. In France, 11 of the country’s parks are shared with a bordering country.
 

Just as the protection of natural areas was conceived and then applied on a national scale, the opening up of the borders of certain countries in Europe since 1972 has released significant potential for the common management of protected areas. Even though networks have emerged at European level (such as Natura 2000), it is the transnational nature of ecological features represents a new challenge involving exchanges between stakeholders. It is therefore important to increase interaction between forest management agencies, both nationally and locally.


Exploiting the potential of joint management.


Natural "traits d'union" guarantee a common response which is more effective and better adapted to the risk management than two independent and uncoordinated responses in the same area (fires, for example). Due to their geographical proximity, parks on both sides of the border have similar characteristics and common issues. For example, the risk of extinction of the ibex in the Alps enabled the first exchanges between the French and Italians and closer links between the Vanoise and Gran Paradiso national parks. Building a continuum for ecosystems requires regular
exchanges between the parties and the development of a common intervention
protocol.
 

The deeper the cooperation, the greater the benefits. Indeed, beyond crisis
management, the parks have a cross-border vocation. Ratification of a joint charter by the Vanoise and Gran Paradiso parks highlights common objectives and the strategies adopted to achieve them. This results in shared observation, species identification programmes and missions, and encourages the exchange of data, surveys and best practice with universities, such as the INTERREG Balkan-Mediterranean DISARM project with Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus to prevent fires and droughts. Finally, cross-border cooperation can harmonise skills and strengthen capacity for action through joint governance between neighbouring stakeholders (Plaines Scarpe-Escaut European Nature Park between France and Belgium).

Cooperation is also helping to diversify the parks’ tourism offering. For example, a single signposting system common to both parks extends the length of the trails and enhances the experience for hikers and bikers. At the same time, common events organised by the forestry agencies raise awareness among tourists and local residents (workshops with schoolchildren, involvement of the population).
 

Today, cooperation is gradually developing and is even being recognised by the
European Transboundary Park label. However, these initiatives still need to be
developed and extended.

 

for further information :

Žymos
Cross-Border Cooperation