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The Newest Challenge for Europeâs Parks: A Surge of New Nature Lovers
Lockdown-weary city dwellers across the continent are visiting parks and other protected areas for the first time, overwhelming staff and generating pleas for more support.
Many European parks, among them, Parc National des Ecrins in France (above), rely on volunteers to augment staffing needs, but this year there were fewer volunteers because of the pandemic.Credit.Getty Images
By Paige McClanahan
Published Dec. 10, 2020Updated Dec. 18, 2020
Lockdown-weary Europeans have sought out nature in record-breaking numbers this year, putting sudden and substantial pressure on national parks and other natural areas across the continent.