The European Day of Natural Parks will be celebrated tomorrow on May 24. This initiative has been promoted since 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation, of which the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, is a member.

A group of 10 natural parks was created in the Azores - nine inland parks and a marine park - comprising the entire regional network of protected areas (a total of 122 areas). These parks are the core structure for the management of the archipelago's territory, being oriented to the conservation of biodiversity and geodiversity as well as the sustainable use of natural resources in order to promote tourism and the well-being of populations.

The regional natural parks are also part of a set of twelve support structures to interpretation, including visitor centres, environmental interpretation centres, support houses, regional network of "ecotecas" (environmental awareness raising centres), which play a fundamental role in the regional strategy for education and environmental awareness, pedestrian trails and viewpoints.

On the other hand, the implementation of nature conservation directives defined by the Regional Government is one of the main missions of natural parks, through the ecological recovery of habitats, including the production of rare endemic flora, the removal of invasive vegetation, the conservation of natural genetic heritage through seed banks and the recovery of water bodies and surrounding areas.

These structures are also in charge of conducting censuses and making the inventory of priority protected species. They also support conservation projects developed in partnership with other entities, such as the LIFE projects.

Regional Parks have been distinguished with various environmental excellence prizes, awarded by independent bodies, as evidenced by the classification of Pico vineyard protected landscape as world heritage, the biosphere reserves of Graciosa, Flores and Corvo or the EDEN awards - "European Destination of Excellence" that have distinguish Faial Natural Park. Moreover, the Region was the recipient of the "Quality Cost" - gold quality. This award distinguishes the most sustainable coastal holiday destination in Europe among the 1000 destinations in competition.

These awards evidence the effectiveness of the strategies implemented by the authorities responsible for the management of these areas, ensuring the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the forthcoming Azorean generations.