20 years already – the Alpine Network of Protected Areas, ALPARC, a longstanding partner of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, celebrates this important anniversary this year. Our region is a founding member of the network and from the beginning has been heavily involved in the international exchanges connected to our regional network of protected areas.

The dynamism of the ALPARC Network, led by only 5 people, also shows its effectiveness by the completion of large-scale European projects, notably within the framework of European territorial cooperation. The Econnect and Greenalps projects have demonstrated all the competence and know-how of the permanent team. The governance, under the participative presidency of Michael Vogel, has also shown itself to be totally pertinent. In addition, the network has just submitted three projects following the first call by the Alpine Space programme. ALPARC will also be represented at the Milan Universal Exposition by “Multivision for the Alps”, bringing the image of the Alpine parks to the whole world and in July will proceed with the coordination of the “Youth at the Top” event which will be organised simultaneously in all the Alpine countries.
The network, directed very efficiently from its beginning by Guido Plassmann, today constitutes a veritable reference for the protection of Alpine biodiversity and sustainable development in the Alps, defending the cause of the protected areas while working “together for the Alps”.

Marc Joanny,   Provence -Alpes - Côte d’Azur Regional Council