Swiss Parks of National Importance are characterised by their scenic beauty, rich biodiversity and valuable cultural heritage. The people within the park communities are committed not only to preserving this valuable resource, but also to improving and utilising it for the economic and social development of their region.

Since 1 December 2007 the legal basis for the creation of Parks of National Importance in Switzerland has been in place. Since then, 15 parks have been set up and two more are in the development phase.

Overview of Swiss parks

Parks of National Importance are divided into three categories: National Parks, Regional Nature Parks and Nature Discovery Parks. These three park types have different organisational structures and pursue different goals.

Park categories

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) awards the park label for a period of ten years to park projects that fulfil all federal requirements. At the same time, the park authority can grant the product label to individuals or organisations whose products and services are sustainably produced and provided within the grounds of the park.

Park and product label

Significant scenic, natural and cultural value

Of significant value in a Park of National Importance are forests and waters rich in biodiversity, rare habitats such as marshlands, alluvial zones and dry meadows, and unique landscapes of exceptional beauty such as the Jura Heights in Aargau or the glaciers in Parc Adula (GR). In addition, the buffer zones around National Parks and Regional Nature Parks are areas of well-tended cultural landscapes, unspoilt villages and valuable cultural assets such as the St. Johann Monastery in Val Müstair (GR), which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Backed by the people

Parks are established not on the drawing boards of administrators, but in the hearts and minds of the local people. The latter must give the impetus for the creation of a park. Only then will the federal government support a park project and award it the park label – provided all requirements are fulfilled. The local communes play a considerable role in the park authority, making strategically important decisions about the park.

Benefitting the local people

Preserving value and promoting sustainable management

Increasing numbers of communes in Switzerland are adopting policies based on sustainable development. This is particularly noticeable in the parks, where the inhabitants are aware of the special nature of the local and regional area and of the value of the landscape. This value also lies in the villages and the culture of the people living there. Communes within the parks work together to develop visions and strategies to preserve these values and utilise them to develop their communities sustainably.