Natura 2000

Instrumental in the conservation of European Nature

All European countries have identified natural areas, which are valuable to national and European nature. In European Union Member States, some of these natural areas are designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives, and have been designated as part of a EU wide network of sites called “Natura 2000”. Outside of the Member States, elsewhere in Europe, sites of equivalent priority for protection and management are referred to as the “Emerald Network”. This network of sites stretches Europe-wide from the Canaries to the Caucasus and from Turkey to Scandinavian Lapland. Sites can be designated on both land and water.

Today, some 26,000 sites in 27 countries are designated under the Birds and Habitats Directives and, together with the rapidly developing Emerald Network, they cover more than 20% of EU territory.

Eurosite has led a highly successful 4-year partnership for the practical delivery of site management across the Natura 2000 network. This work is vital for the implementation and communication of good practice nature conservation in Europe. We continue to work in collaboration with members and partners, including the European Commission, to promote practical mechanisms to support the implementation of Natura 2000 and good management of European natural heritage.

Key Natura 2000 projects managed by the Eurosite network include:

• The Natura 2000 Networking Programme
• The Natura Network Initiative
• Natura Green Days

The results and communication materials produced for these projects can be viewed at the following website dedicated to Natura 2000:

http://www.natura.org

European Commission DG Environment Natura 2000 page:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm

Public Natura 2000 viewer (European Commission, January 2010):

http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/

Natura 2000 Good Practice Exchange website:

http://www.natura2000exchange.eu