“Flying Over Natura 2000” is aproject aimed at discovering theNatura 2000 network. You candiscover the Natura 2000 sites via themigrations of black storks. Indeed,every year, these birds undertakelong journeys across Europe to theirAfrican wintering grounds. Theirmovements can be followed thanksto a radio transmitter, attached tothe stork like a mini backpack andrelayed by satellites.

In each of the eight participatingcountries, two storks are ourambassadors. Every day during theirlong journey, these storks send a“postcard”, or small TV clip, totelevision viewers. These show theplaces they have flown over,principally the Natura 2000 sites (orfuture sites), with theircharacteristics, biodiversity andongoing human activities.

http://www.flyingover.net

“Flying Over Natura 2000”a project of discovery…

EuropeanCommission

European Commission

Natura 2000 – Discover Europe’s nature

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2005 – 6pp – 21 x 21 cm

ISBN

What isNatura 2000 ?

Europe covers less than 3% of the world’sland mass, yet, despite its size, it has avery rich biodiversity. From the Arctic

Circle to the warm Mediterraneancoastline, from the peaks of the Alps tothe vast open plains of central Europe,

the diversity of nature on our smallcontinent is truly remarkable.

Natura 2000 is the most ambitiousinitiative ever undertaken to conservethis rich natural heritage. It enables all

25 countries of the EU to work togetherto protect hundreds of rare species and

habitats across their natural range inEurope, irrespective of national

boundaries. At its heart lies the creationof an ecological network of sites known

as the Natura 2000 Network. Some18,000 sites all across Europe have been

included in this network so far.

Visiting a Natura 2000 site is an ideal wayto learn more about Europe’s nature.

DiscoveringEurope’s natureNatura 2000 can help you to:· Discover the different regions in Europe· Find out about their rich wildlife and

natural areas· Learn about the threats to wildlife and

how to conserve it· Explore the countryside near you

and to use the sites as outdoorclassrooms for a whole rangeof different activities

Sources ofinformationThe European Commission has a wealth of information tools andmaterial available for teachers and schools on Europe’s nature andNatura 2000.

· A youth corner on the Commission’s website where pupils canlearn more about the different ecosystems and species in Europe,the threats they face and the various ways to address these. Pupilscan also test their knowledge about nature or participate in someof the group activities and projects proposed. Go to http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/youth/index_en.html

· A series of brochures and posters onnature in Europe and Natura 2000which are freely available to schools,teachers and pupils. These areavailable from the nature website ofthe Commission under http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm together with moreinformation on Natura 2000 andEuropean legislation.