CEETO Protected Areas Open Day celebrated at the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen, Germany
April 29th, Rügen - The Open Day celebrated in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen hosted the re-opening of the Biosphere Reserve´s exhibition in the visitors information centre by the Environmental Minister Dr. Till Backhaus.
On April 18th 2019, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen organized the CEETO Protected Areas Open Day to celebrate the re-opening of the Biosphere Reserve´s new exhibition in the Visitor Information Centre „Granitzhaus“. After a ceremonial opening in the morning, locals and guests were able to embark on a journey through the Biosphere Reserve in the new exhibition.
More than 100 representatives of the municipalities, partner enterprises of the Biosphere Reserve, spa administrations, associations and institutions of the region had accepted the invitation to the ceremonial opening of the Protected Areas Open Day and the visitor exhibition. During the ceremony, Karsten Schneider, Major of the Baltic seaside resort Binz and the Environmental Minister Dr. Till Backhaus, praised the work of the employees of the Authority of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen and emphasised the importance of cooperation among stakeholders to drive the development of a sustainable tourism and protection of nature in the park.
Receiving the new Charter Certificate - Photo by UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen
Furthermore, Ignace Schops President of EUROPARC Federation announced the new “European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas” Certificate that the Biosphere Reserve has been granted. He also highlighted that the Biosphere Reserve was an excellent example of how a strong cooperation between administrations and the tourism sector can lead to positive outcomes and he wished the Charter stakeholders continuous success.
Participants of the Photo-Competition receive their prizes from Environmental Minister Dr. Till Backhaus - Photo by UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen
In preparation of the CEETO Protected Areas Open Day, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen organised a Photo-Competition and an Exhibition with the winning pictures. The Environmental Minister Dr. Till Backhaus, together with Cathrin Münster, head of the Authority of the Biosphere Reserve, presented the winners of the competition with prize-baskets comprised of regionally produced products. In addition to the new exhibition, there were many new things for youngsters and elders to discover. For example, the guests could take part in one of the ranger tours along the newly opened "Path of the Senses" through the forest nature reserve of the Granitz.
For futher information on this park, visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Southeast-Rügen Pilot Area webpage or watch the short video teaser below portraying the main values and challenges related to tourism that the Reserve is facing.
