The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)examines the quality of the parks and their programs and in particular the Charta for the initial ten-year operation phase. It awards the label “park of national importance” if a park project fulfils the requirements.
What is a park?
High natural and scenic value (prerequisite 1)
Parks are exceptionally beautiful landscapes with an abundance of natural habitats, which are home to a rich species of flora and fauna. The cultural landscapes and settlements in the national park buffer zones and in the regional natural parks are gently managed and to a large extent intact.The park has the backing of the community (prerequisite 2)
The initiative for creating a park must come from the community. The participation of the community and the various lobbies must be ensured in the project planning, the establishing and operating of a park. The communities are significantly represented in the sponsorship of the park.Maintaining values and promoting sustainable management (functions)
Parks serve to maintain and enhance the variety of nature and the beauty of the landscapes on a long-term basis. At the same time they give valuable impulses for strengthening sustainable management in the regional natural parks and in the buffer zones of the national parks.
Parks offer the visitor genuine experiences of nature, fascinating history, contact to a vital community and the enjoyment of regional specialities.