Environmental Education

Environmental education aims to facilitate the development of environmental awareness and 'green' behaviour in all age classes. This allows the growing generation to apply a nature-friendly approach and knowledge in their future decisions. With regards to protected areas, the Hortobágy National Park Directorate (HNPD) is responsible for environmental education and raising awareness about environmental issues, and these tasks are thus included in the basic duties of the HNPD. Our park, being enlisted among Natural Heritage sites, can serve as a worthy venue to accomplish these noble tasks. Beyond the presentation of natural values through demonstration areas and exhibitions, cultural and historical values are a very important focus. For example, without shepherds and their culture, the Hortobágy would not be the same species-rich area emphasizing the importance of grazing regimes. Thus, the Hortobágy is an excellent example of the harmonic coexistence of man and nature.

The status of environmental education within the HNPD:

1. 1999-2005 – This task was carried out by experts in ecotourism, as no staff was assigned for this function within the Department of Nature Conservation

2. 2005-2012 – A separate department (Department of Tourism and Education) was established to accomplish tasks related to ecotourism and environmental education. However, the latter function  still remained neglected. This period was characterised by the first large touristic projects, infrastructural development and the lack  of human resources.

3. 2012-today – The Department has been restructured under the name of ’Department of Education and Tourism’. The Department was divided into several subdivisions, including the educational group. Thus, environmental education was more pronounced than previously. 

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