Dinarides Protection Day: Effective Management Is Essential for the Conservation of Protected Areas

Podgorica, 7 October 2026 – On the occasion of Dinarides Protection Day, celebrated on 7 October, Parks Dinarides – Network of Protected Areas of Dinarides highlights the importance of improving the effectiveness of management of protected areas and the Natura 2000 network as a key prerequisite for long-term nature conservation.

Designating an area as a protected area or a Natura 2000 site is only the first step towards its conservation. For protection to achieve its full purpose, a functional management system must be established, with clearly defined conservation objectives and measures, a motivated and well-trained team, appropriate equipment, and strong cooperation with local communities and other stakeholders.

Based on these principles, Parks Dinarides has been providing two years of support to the newly established management authority of the Cijevna Canyon Natural Monument. This support aims to demonstrate how the capacities of a protected area can be systematically developed from the outset, laying the foundation for effective management.

One of the most important steps in this process is the development of the Management Plan for the Cijevna Canyon Natural Monument. Through a participatory process involving institutions, experts, local communities and other stakeholders, the plan defines priorities, objectives and concrete actions for the conservation and sustainable use of the area.

However, a well-developed management plan alone is not sufficient if the management authority lacks the capacity to implement it. A significant part of the support therefore focuses on strengthening staff capacities and developing their knowledge and skills. Through joint work on the Management Plan, field activities, cooperation with experts and institutions, and involvement in various aspects of protected area management, staff members gain practical knowledge and experience that will remain within the management structure even after the project has ended.

In this way, support for a protected area goes beyond individual activities or the procurement of equipment. It represents a comprehensive process of building a functional management system – from planning and strengthening human and technical capacities to public communication and the involvement of local communities.

On the occasion of Dinarides Protection Day, 7 October, we would like to emphasize that the future of nature conservation depends not only on expanding the coverage of protected areas, but above all on our ability to manage the areas we have already protected effectively and responsibly.

At the 5th General Assembly of Parks Dinarides, held in Blidinje Nature Park in May 2019, a decision was adopted to designate 7 October as Dinarides Protection Day. This date was chosen to commemorate the conference of the Dinaric Arc Parks held in Brijuni National Park on 7 October 2014, when a Letter of Intent to establish Parks Dinarides was signed.

The initiative to establish Dinarides Protection Day was launched by the Parks Dinarides Secretariat in Podgorica as a first step towards promoting the natural values of the Dinarides, strengthening cooperation, and increasing the visibility of the Dinaric Arc region as a whole.