“Together we are strong” – that applies both for the network of Nationale Naturlandschaften (new family brand for the German national parks, nature parks and biosphere reserves) and for their full-time employees. At the same time our team also includes volunteers – dedicated, creative, flexible, qualified and interested people who provide valuable support in the protected areas. Through the project “Establishing a volunteer programme in German large scale protected areas” we have established structures in 15 model areas within two years in order to develop “team work” between the full-time staff and the volunteers, and to strengthen the parks.