The sixth national conference on research in parks of national importance and UNESCO World Heritage sites will focus on the topic of “tourism and local recreation.” This event will take place in German, French, and English. Please note that no simultaneous translation will take place. The call for contributions may be responded to in German, French, and English before/by April 27, 2025.
In collaboration with the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park and the Tourism Institute of the HES-SO Valais-Wallis, the Forum Landscape, Alps, Parks (FoLAP) is organizing the sixth national conference on research in parks of national importance and UNESCO World Heritage sites on October 30-31, 2025. The Park Research 2025 conference will focus on the topic of “tourism and local recreation.”
This year, the Forum Landscape, Alps, Parks (FoLAP) of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAHS) is hosting the 6th Swiss Park Research Conference at the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park and the Tourism Institute of the HES-SO Valais-Wallis. The event will span two days: the first day (Thursday) will be dedicated to the scientific conference with presentations, posters, and workshops, while the second day (Friday) will feature an excursion to the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park.
Focus of the Park Research 2025 Conference: Tourism and Local Recreation
With their high-quality natural and cultural assets, Swiss parks are attractive destinations for leisure and vacation. The challenge is to utilize the tourism and recreational potential of park regions in a sustainable manner that reflects the values of Swiss parks: high landscape quality, rich biodiversity, local value creation, responsible use of resources, climate-friendly action, regional identity, and culture. For the 6th Park Research Conference, we therefore call for contributions that examine the connections between tourism/recreation and the objectives of parks.
Examples of possible topics can be found in the detailed call.
Call for contributions
We invite interested individuals to submit scientific contributions based on advanced or recently completed research projects from and on parks of national importance and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Contributions from protected areas in other countries are also welcome. We explicitly define research very broadly – application-oriented studies and transdisciplinary projects are also included. Contributions that combine research with a practical project/application are particularly welcome. A connection to this year’s key topic, “Tourism and Local Recreation,” is desired, but not required.
All details regarding the submission of a contribution (presentation, poster, workshop) can be found in the detailed call for papers.
Submission of contributions must be made via the web form.
Submitted contributions will be evaluated by the Park Research Advisory Group of the Forum Landscape, Alps, Parks (FoLAP). When compiling the conference program, we reserve the right to reassign contributions submitted as oral presentations to the poster session and vice versa.
Dates:
- Deadline for abstract submission: April 27, 2025
- Notification of acceptance of submitted contributions: June 27, 2025
- Submission of the final version of the abstracts after any revisions: August 29, 2025
Languages: Contributions can be presented in German, French, or English. Please note that there will be no simultaneous translation, and participants can submit their questions and contributions to the discussion in German, French, or English.
Participants: The conference is aimed at all researchers working in and around parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as people from park administrations, federal and cantonal offices, NGOs, environmental and planning offices.
