European Day of Parks Date in the current year: May 24, 2024

EUROPARC Federation is an independent non-governmental organization that works with national parks across Europe. It was founded in 1973 and nowadays it represents about 365 parks in 36 countries.

EUROPARC Federation sponsors European Day of Parks since 1999, when the first observance was held in different countries. May 24 was chosen as the date of observance to celebrate the anniversary of passing of a law on national parks in Sweden in 1909.

Sweden became the very first country to establish the system of national parks. 9 national parks were opened during the first year after passing of the law. Other European countries followed Sweden in its example.

National parks are priceless for the European cultural heritage and observance of European Day of Parks is aimed at strengthening of international cooperation in protection of environment. European national parks annually organize different activities, that raise public awareness of natural beauty of European nature and importance of its protection.