From the 6th to the 10th of October, representatives of the Julian Prealps Nature Park joined colleagues from across Europe in Birštonas, Lithuania, for the EUROPARC Conference 2025—one of the continent’s most significant gatherings for protected area professionals. As a proud partner of the E-NAT2CARE project, the Park had the opportunity to present the project’s aims, progress, and innovative approaches to an international audience of conservation experts, researchers, and park managers.
The conference offered an inspiring platform for exchange, celebrating the diversity of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage while exploring new ways to strengthen cooperation between protected areas. For E-NAT2CARE, it was a valuable moment to highlight how transnational collaboration can improve the management of shared ecosystems and promote sustainable, community-based conservation practices across borders.
On the evening of October 8th, the E-NAT2CARE project was showcased during the lively EUROPARC Marketplace, held at the Birštonas Culture House. In this vibrant and informal setting, parks and initiatives from all over Europe came together to “shine” — sharing local products, success stories, and innovative tools. The Julian Prealps Nature Park team presented the project’s vision and achievements, sparking many enriching conversations with colleagues from across Europe. The interest and curiosity shown by other parks confirmed how relevant and timely the project’s approach is.
Two days later, the spotlight turned to the Inspiration & Innovation Session, where Alberto Madrassi represented the Julian Prealps Nature Park with a talk that captured both attention and imagination. Speaking about the link between ecosystems and the provision of drinking water, Alberto shared how a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model can create a win-win situation for both nature and people. By building voluntary agreements between water utilities and protected areas, such schemes can reward good land management practices that safeguard water quality, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience. Rather than just a technical presentation, it was an inspiring story about cooperation, trust, and innovation—core values that define the E-NAT2CARE project.
Participating in the EUROPARC Conference was a meaningful opportunity for E-NAT2CARE to strengthen its presence within the European network of protected areas. Sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and learning from peers reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations.
