The “Little Sydney: Protecting Nature in Europe” Conference will see the European conservation community meets to discuss, share and showcase original approaches for conservation and development, and to implement the outcomes of last year’s World Parks Congress.

“Little Sydney builds on the conclusions of the IUCN World Parks Congress”, said Andrej Sovinc, IUCN WCPA Regional Chair for Europe. “It will showcase the many ways in which nature continues to offer answers and hope for the world’s most pressing problems. The event features keynotes and session programming from leading policymakers, scientists and protected areas experts.”

The “Little Sydney: Protecting Nature in Europe” conference aims to:

1. Discuss the future of protected areas in Europe for the next decade;
2. present and discuss the outcomes of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 and help address gaps in nature conservation and the protected areas agenda in Europe; and
3. outline principles for a socially and environmentally responsible society based on an effective network of protected areas in Europe.

“We are thrilled to bring the results of the World Parks Congress, the biggest global event of its kind, to Europe. The Little Sydney Conference offers the chance to connect with over three hundred specialists through making the Promise of Sydney´s commitments a reality”, Boris Erg, IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe Director said.

This event is organized in conjunction with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water, and the Donau-Auen National Park and will run from May 28 – 31 in Hainburg, Austria.

Attendees can register today at iucn.org/littlesydney.