Natura 2000 Web Page

Title:

Resource Type:

web links

Producers or distributor

European Commission

Author / Producer Type:

Agency, regulator or other governmental or inter-governmental body

Web link for product information:

http://www.natura.org/

EUGRIS Keyword(s):

Contaminated land-->Contaminated land overview
Contaminated land-->maps
Contaminated land-->stats, registers, inventories etc
Diffuse pollution-->Diffuse pollution overview
Groundwater protection-->Groundwater protection overview
Sediments
Soil-->Soil Overview
Water resources and their management -->Water resources and their management Overview

Short description:

In May 1992 European Union governments adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the Habitats Directive and complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979. At the heart of both these Directives is the creation of a network of sites called Natura 2000. The Birds Directive requires the establishment of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds. The Habitats Directive similarly requires Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to be designated for other species, and for habitats. Together, SPAs and SACs make up the Natura 2000 series. All EU Member States contribute to the network of sites in a Europe-wide partnership from the Canaries to Crete and from Sicily to Finnish Lapland. Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are classified under the Birds Directive to help protect and manage areas which are important for rare and vulnerable birds because they use them for breeding, feeding, wintering or migration. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are classified under the Habitats Directive and provide rare and vulnerable animals, plants and habitats with increased protection and management. The Natura 2000 Networking Programme builds on the solid achievements of the Natura Network Initiative, a successful project which was implemented during 2004-2006. It specifies an integrated approach, recognising the essential contributions of different stakeholders responsible for and interacting with Europe's rich diversity of Natura 2000 sites and surrounding areas. Focusing on communication, capacity building and the value of working in partnership to achieve nature conservation objectives, the Natura 2000 Networking Programme will create a series of training events, themed workshops and practical tools to promote Natura 2000, good practice in site management and the benefits of networking, across Europe. The Natura 2000 Networking Programme is funded by the European Commission and managed on their behalf by Eurosite, the European Landowners Organization and the EUROPARC Federation.

Link to Organisation(s):

EC European Commission

Submitted By:

Professor Paul Bardos WhoDoesWhat? Last update: 19/11/2007