Switzerland has eighteen official natural parks (and three candidate parks) classified in three categories (national parks, regional nature parks and nature experience parks).[1]
Switzerland has eighteen official natural parks (and three candidate parks) classified in three categories (national parks, regional nature parks and nature experience parks).[1]
The three categories of natural "parks of national importance" established by the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage (section 3b) are national parks, regional nature parks and nature experience parks.[2]
National parks and nature experience parks have very strict protected areas, something which does not exist in regional nature parks.[3] The latter focus much more on striking a balance in the level of support between nature conservation and the regional economy.
As of 2016, the eighteen official nature "parks of national importance" in Switzerland are:[1]
The environmental organisation Pro Natura takes care of about 650 nature reserves of various sizes throughout Switzerland (250 square kilometres).
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