About NATURA 2000

Stretching over 18 % of the EU’s land area and almost 6 % of its marine territory, Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected sites in the world. It is composed of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. It stretches across all 28 EU countries, both on land and at sea. The aim of the network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats, listed under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.

Natura 2000 is not a network that forbids all human activities. While it includes strictly protected nature reserves, Natura 2000 takes a much wider approach to conservation and sustainable use of sites, where people work with nature, rather than against it. Taking into consideration the uniqueness of every site, the emphasis is put on finding local solutions to local management issues in close cooperation with the local community.

Each EU Member State must compile a list of areas containing the habitats and species listed in the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. The lists are then submitted to the European Commission. In the case of sites according to the Habitats Directive, an evaluation and selection process is taking place at European level, under the Birds Directive no such process is foreseen. Member States must ensure sustainable management of both types of sites, ecologically, socially and economically.

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