Parks for Life: An Action Plan for the Protected Areas of Europe

Abstract

There is great diversity in Europe’s natural heritage. However, the protected area coverage in Europe is very uneven and the protected area systems are rather weak by international standards. Most protected areas in Europe are under strong pressure and the management of many protected areas is not as strong as it needs to be to combat the powerful threats that these areas now face. Therefore Parks for Life - the first action plan for protected areas in Europe - was prepared, and its implementation is underway. It is a document intended to help governments and protected area managers to ensure an adequate, effective and well managed network of protected areas in Europe.