EUROPARC Capacity Building
Let's get Buzzing for Pollinators
Engaging Junior Rangers in Pollinator Conservation
24th - 26th February 2026
15:30 - 17:00 CET
Pollinators across Europe are under increasing pressure, with many species declining due to habitat loss, land-use change, pesticides and climate impacts. Their loss threatens plant reproduction, food production and the resilience of ecosystems, making pollinator conservation an urgent priority for Protected Areas and wider society.
This series of online webinars responds to that challenge by focusing on practical knowledge for Junior Ranger mentors and other environmental educators, on how to actively engage young people in pollinator conservation. Across the sessions, experts will explore key pollinator groups, current policy and conservation efforts, and exploring current citizen science initiatives for monitoring pollinator populations.
Mentors will gain practical examples of hands-on activities, learning approaches and resources that can be used directly with Junior Rangers. The series is designed to support meaningful action, helping young people build knowledge, skills and confidence while contributing to real-world pollinator conservation.
The event will run from the 24th to the 26th February with three sessions of 1 to 1.5 hours always at 15:30 CET. Experts from IUCN Europe, European Pollinator Identification Course (EPIC) and Butterfly Conservation Europe (BCE) will lead each session and share their knowledge with us. There will be space for questions and experience sharing, so register now!
The events will be recorded but the recordings will only be available for EUROPARC members, so join us and consider joining EUROPARC if you haven't already.
Register here:
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Programme
24th February - From the EU to You: The latest efforts for Pollinators
Led by Niamh Phelan from IUCN Europe
To start off the series we will do a quick recap of the state of pollinators in Europe and give an easy to understand overview of the European goals and actions towards pollinator recovery. It will include an introduction to IUCN and share the latest news on the IUCN Red Lists. This session is likely to be maximum 1 hour.
25th February - The Bees Knees: Wild Bees and Hoverflies
Led by Andrea Aracil and Sara Reverte from EPIC
This session will cover the incredible diversity of wild bee and hoverfly species across Europe, learn the importance of their correct identification, and get practical ideas for activities you can do with Junior Rangers to protect and celebrate them.
26th Feburary - The Wings of Change: Butterflies and Moths
Led by Cristina Sevilleja from Butterfly Conservation Europe
This session will provide an in-depth look at the diversity of butterflies and moths across Europe, highlighting the role of citizen science in monitoring their populations, and practical guidance on engaging Junior Rangers in activities that support conservation.
Meet the speakers
Niamh Phelan
IUCN Europe
Niamh Phelan is a Biodiversity Programme Officer with IUCN and a member of the Biodiversity and Knowledge Team based in Brussels. Her work focuses on the European Red List and the development of Action Plans for threatened pollinator groups in Europe.
Andrea Aracil
EPIC
Andrea Aracil is a researcher, working in hoverfly biology, taxonomy and conversation. She has been part of multiple European projects related with hoverfly monitoring and conservation and currently she is the project manager of EPIC-Fly project, focused on training hoverfly taxonomy across Europe.
Sara Reverte
EPIC
Sara Reverte is a researcher working on bee conservation and ecology. She is working on multiple projects involving wild bee taxonomy, bee distribution, ecotoxicology, and giving bee identification trainings.
Cristina G. Sevilleja
Butterfly Conservation Europe
Cristina G. Sevilleja is a biologist specializing in the monitoring and conservation of diurnal lepidoptera. She works for Dutch Butterfly Conservation, Butterfly Conservation Europe, and is the coordinator of the European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Organised and funded by:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend this event?
Our webinars are targeted at Protected Area professionals and anyone interested in the topic. They are a platform for technical discussions, where experts and professionals can share their own experiences with the wider community.
Will it be recorded?
Yes, all EUROPARC online events are recorded. However, these are only available to staff of EUROPARC members who have created their accounts on the Member-only section of our website. After logging in, all recordings can be found under Training and Events.
What is the EUROPARC Federation?
The EUROPARC Federation is Europe’s largest network of Protected Area professionals. Established out of curiosity and a shared desire to learn from one another, we have been connecting people and Parks for over 50 years. Through our projects, events, and flagship programmes, we foster collaboration among experts across Europe, helping them enhance their work in nature conservation and sustainable management. Explore our infographics below to learn more about our programmes, or visit our website at www.europarc.org and see how you can get involved!
