The Minister of Rural Development has authorised the first phase of the professional concept for the development of Hungary's nature parks. Four organisations, the Ministry's conservation department, the Institute for Rural Development Education and Counselling, the Hungarian National Rural Network and the Hungarian Nature Park Association, all of which are responsible for furthering the Hungarian nature park movement, were involved in the development of the document concerning the professional and organisational framework of the country's nature parks.

The concept determines the terms and conditions required for the use of the term nature park, and how the title may be awarded. The document provides invaluable assistance to nature park initiatives through determining the detailed and precise framework and professional requirements for parks' organisation and operation, and through the developed aids and models.

There are currently seven nature parks in Hungary that have been awarded the right to use the title by the Minister of Rural Development, who is also responsible for conservation. The development of the concept was especially important because the rate of development of Hungary's nature parks is expected to accelerate significantly in the near future as a result of the outstanding role they play in rural development.

The development of the second phase of the concept will occur this year and will be coordinated by the Hungarian Nature Park Association. The document will focus primarily on opportunities for developing nature parks, while taking into account ways in which nature parks may cooperate with the various fields of conservation and rural development.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)