International Conference National Parks, Local Communities and Collaboration, May 21-22, 2026

Lahemaa National Park 55

International Conference National Parks, Local Communities and Collaboration

May 21-22, 2026

Palmse Manor, Lahemaa National Park, Estonia

Preliminary Program

Thursday, May 21

7.30                     Birdwatching Walk in Palmse manor park with Peep Veedla (EST)

9.00-9.30        Gathering and coffee

9.30-9.50        Introduction and Welcome Remarks

9.50-10.10      National Park Collaboration in Estonia and the Baltics: A Historical Perspective.

Teet Koitjärv (Former Deputy Director of Lahemaa National Park)

10.10-10.55   Panel: Local Communities and Collaboration in Baltic National Parks

10.55-11.15   Satisfaction, Attractiveness, and Image: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of National Parks in the Baltics.

Marcus Bauer (respontour - Communication Consulting)

11.15-11.45   Coffee break

11.45-12.30   Keynote. Sustainable Tourism and Local Communities in Europe.

Paulo Castro (EUROPARC)

12.30-12.50   The Value of Collaboration in National Parks: How to Earn More, Create Greater Value Together and Maximize Visitor Experience.

Tarmo Pilving (Estonian University of Life Sciences)

12.50-13.10   Adaptive Co-Management in Practice: Community-Led Tourism Collaboration in Lahemaa National Park.

Kaisa Linno (Estonian University of Life Sciences)

13.10-13.30   Heritage Based Climate Action and Rights of Heritage Communities.

Ave Paulus (ICOMOS)

13.30-14.00   Water-themed Science Show by Science Centre AHHAA

14.00-15.00   Lunch

15.00-15.30   River Restoration Case Studies:

The Drava (Slovenia). Marcela Slekovec (LAS Bogatstvo Požela)

The Vjosa (Albania). 

15.30-16.00   Nature-based Solutions for the Restoration of River Ecosystems.

Vallo Kõrgmaa (Estonian Environmental Research Centre)

16.00-16.45   Interactive Workshops:

1. Heritage Adapts - Empowering Heritage Communities in Climate Action From Global Policies to Local Actions – Ave Paulus

2. Planning Activities for Enhancing Regional Impact Through Collaboration of Baltic National Parks – Aivar Ruukel

3. Hands-on: Building Floating Islands for Healthier Waters - Vallo Kõrgmaa

16.45-17.00   Summaries of the Workshops and Concluding Remarks

17.30-18.30   Signing of the Baltic National Parks Tourism Collaboration Agreement. Europarc Certificates Ceremony.

Concert by Local Choirs

Friday, May 22

Post-conference Tours in Lahemaa Villages

Organisers: Lahemaa Tourism Association, Environmental Board of Estonia, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Ministry of Climate
Co-funded by: European Union, Virumaa DMO