United by Nature
European Parks Day 2026 celebrates the value of connections between ecosystems, territories and communities. The chosen theme,“United by Nature,” emphasizes how crucial it is to protect biodiversity through ecological networks, wildlife corridors and interconnected habitats.
Healthy ecosystems cannot exist in isolation: they thrive on natural connections that allow species to move, adapt and live in balance. That is why it is necessary to think beyond the boundaries of individual protected areas, promoting integrated conservation strategies and collaboration between territories.
What is the European Day of Parks
The European Day of Parks, celebrated on May 24, is an international event dedicated to European protected areas. Established in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation, it commemorates the birth of the first national parks in Europe, created in Sweden in 1909.
This day is an opportunity to enhance Europe’s natural heritage and raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection among citizens and institutions.
From Rome to the Abruzzo Parks: Nature just an hour from the Capital.
Thanks to the A24 and A25 highway network, Rome is directly connected to Abruzzo, known as the “Green Region of Europe.” In just over an hour, it is possible to reach some of Italy’s most important protected areas:
- Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
- Maiella National Park
- Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
- Sirente-Velino Regional Park
- Numerous nature reserves
These territories, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, offer extraordinary biodiversity and unique landscapes, ideal for sustainable tourism, hiking and outdoor activities.
Sustainable tourism and biodiversity: why visit Abruzzo’s parks
Visiting Abruzzo Parks means immersing oneself in a natural heritage of great value, where rare species, protected habitats and local traditions coexist. European Parks Day thus becomes an opportunity to rediscover the link between man and Nature and promote environmentally friendly development.
Aielli Celano Gorge reopens, Abruzzo’s Canyon
From Sunday, May 24, on the occasion of the European Day of Parks, in the Sirente Velino Regional Park the Aielli Celano Gorges will once again be accessible and visitable, offering tourists a characteristic trekking route among the most fascinating within the protected area.
The Sirente Velino Regional Park reminds that to visit the Gorges, reservations are mandatory and must be made on the official website of the institution.
All info: https://www.parcosirentevelino.it/novdettaglio.php?id=86970
