The 2011 conference in Bad Urach was no different with inspiring words from our key note speakers opening the proceedings, called us to consider how protected areas can deliver benefits for Nature and People. Learning from this we now look forward to see how all members and their teams create and participate in new projects and a daily work that leads to a greener society, conservation of Biodiversity and communicating the spirit of Nature. Their words and call to action with the deliberations of the workshops and are represented in this conference report.