2006 Events

National Parks System’s (NPS) "Sister Parks Initiative"

Under the auspices of The National Parks System’s "Sister Parks Initiative," Tomáš Vančura, Director of the Tatra National Park and Juraj Švajda, Chief Ranger, visited the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. With support from the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava and the U.S. Department of the Interior, the two Slovak officials met with Director of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Vaughn Baker, from October 5 – 12.

Mr. Švajda and Mr. Vančura also met with each park division head and discussed the problems and challenges that face a large national park and how to resolve them. Some of the issues discussed were: how to manage the mountain pine beetle, improve air and water quality, manage shuttle bus systems, provide concessions, support volunteer programs, improve fund raising and expand environmental education. The managers of Tatra National Park look forward to a reciprocal visit from their U.S. counterparts in summer 2007.