POLICY

Eurosite's Mission:
To provide opportunities for practitioners to network and exchange experience on practical nature management.

INTERNATIONAL POLICY

Eurosite rallies in Brussels on behalf of Members’ site management interests. Working with Members and partners, Eurosite positions the network and the collective expertise it represents.

In particular, Eurosite focuses on the following issues:

The full implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive – the cornerstone of European nature conservation legislation – as key to achieving the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.
The clear view of the new Commission that economic growth is the most important policy area for Europe and the implications this has for environmental policy given that economies are dependent on the natural environment.
There is a strong case to be made that such challenges can only be truly addressed by acting on a pan-European scale. Eurosite and its network has a unique and powerful role to play; ensuring that Natura 2000 is managed as a network of sites rather than as a series of discrete natural areas. Following the Mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 it is anticipated that leading up to and beyond 2020 the EU policy arena will rapidly evolve. Given this situation, Eurosite works to ensure improved implementation of the Nature Directives, as this is the only way to achieve the current and future EU and global biodiversity goals.

Demand for economic growth and changes in climate are amongst the biggest threats to our natural environment. This requires integrated responses and action between people and nature, policy makers and practitioners, nature conservation organisations and others impacting on the environment.

European Habitats Forum

One of the arenas where Eurosite represents the interests of its members is the European Habitats Forum (EHF) – assembling leading European nature conservation organisations and coordinates communication between them and the European Commission.

NATURA 2000 BRANDING

Natura 2000 branding benefits people, nature and local economy

Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world. People living in and around Natura 2000 areas utilise these for a variety of economic activities. Designation of Natura 2000 areas often creates additional restrictions though, sometimes leading people to perceive Natura 2000 as a burden. One solution to this problem is to make products coming from Natura 2000 areas better known and more appealing to the public and increase awareness of the benefits these products provide for nature and for people working in Natura 2000 areas.

The Natura 2000 branding website is part of a Natura 2000 branding campaign, stressing the benefits Natura 2000 can provide to local economies. It showcases products produced in Natura 2000 areas accompanied by inspiring background stories about the collaborations and socio-economic benefits related to those products. By sharing these successful and positive stories the campaign aims to trigger new partnerships between site managers, farmers and local businesses, and improve perceptions of and increase support for the Natura 2000 network.

Visit the Natura2000 website >>

 

Download the following three versions of the Natura 2000 branding leaflet:

NATURA 2000  BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROCESS

Natura 2000 is a network of nature conservation sites for the 21st century. Most importantly, Natura 2000 sites are home to many wonderful plants, animals and birds important for Europe’s biodiversity. The issues and problems affecting Natura 2000 habitats and species are often complex. They need to be proactively addressed and solutions can be found by working together.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy calls for significant improvements by 2020 in the conservation status of species and habitats protected under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. In 2012, the European Commission launched the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process to help meet this target. This multi-stakeholder cooperation process at the biogeographical level includes seminars, networking events and cooperation activities aimed at enhancing the effective implementation, management, monitoring, financing and reporting of the Natura 2000 network. The Process assists Member States and key stakeholders to manage Natura 2000 as a coherent ecological network.

Key objectives

  • Collecting up-to-date information on threats and conservation needs for species and habitats.
  • Exchanging experiences, case studies and best practices.
  • Identifying common objectives, priorities and management actions.
  • Developing new management insights, (cross-border) stakeholder cooperation frameworks, networks of specialists and site managers, etc.
  • Promoting Natura 2000 management that integrates socio-economic objectives.

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Networking Programme

The milestone events of the process are the Natura 2000 Seminars, which are being organised at regular intervals (every 3-4 years). This felt useful by the Member States and expert stakeholders within each biogeographical region. In addition to the Natura 2000 Seminars, the process promotes the exchange of knowledge and cooperation on Natura 2000 management beyond national borders, within and between biogeographical regions. This happens through the implementation of a Natura 2000 Biogeographical Networking Programme, which consists of the organisation of thematic networking events in each biogeographical region.

The Natura 2000 Communication Platform

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process is supported by a web-based Natura 2000 Communication Platform. This is the central place where all actors involved in Natura 2000 management exchange information on conservation objectives, measures and their follow-up.

Eurosite’s role in the Process

Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) is the lead contractor to support the EC in the development and implementation of the Process. WENR does this with support from sub-contracted consortium partners.

Eurosite is following the Process closely and will contribute to it by organising thematic networking events according to the needs of the site managers’ community.

This website is co-financed by the EU’s LIFE Programme