BEtter management and implementation of NATURa 2000 sites

Zsuzsa FidlòczkyNimfea Environment and Nature Conservation Association (LP) Hungary

Brussels, November 12th 2013

Round Table: “Better management of Natura 2000 sites: challenges and chances for the future”

Project BackgroundProject Background

One of the current most important and demanding challenges is to face the loss of to face the loss of

biodiversitybiodiversity, encompassing the diversity of both habitat and species types.

A strong EU legal basis for the nature conservation provides the foundation for the

preservation of the EU natural heritage.Directive 92/43/EEC “Habitat”

Directive 09/147/EU “Birds”Natura 2000 Network (SCI/SAC and Natura 2000 Network (SCI/SAC and

SPA)SPA)

Project BackgroundProject Background

Than the Natura2000 network was established but this is:

• not a system of strict nature reserves where all the human activities are excluded

• in fact, it can include nature reserves privately owned and/or where human activity is strongly present

Project Project BackgroundBackgroundFor many reasons, the Natura2000 management For many reasons, the Natura2000 management

& implementation is often difficult and & implementation is often difficult and controversial. controversial.

Most of the partner areas still experience difficulties in the application of the Directive due to:

• the lack of proper instruments at national level for implementation

• the combination of different economic interests affecting the target environment

Project Project BackgroundBackgroundFor many reasons, the Natura2000 management For many reasons, the Natura2000 management

& implementation is often difficult and & implementation is often difficult and controversial. controversial.

Serious environment pressure is caused - i.e. by tourism, agriculture and infrastructure, and also by the presence of several alien species of floraOverall problem: the fragmentation is very high and difficult to maintain.

The definition of precise and accurate The definition of precise and accurate strategy for the environment conservation is strategy for the environment conservation is

therefore necessary in order to be able to therefore necessary in order to be able to achieve good conservation outcomes.achieve good conservation outcomes.

ObjectivesObjectives

General objective of the project is:General objective of the project is:

To face the loss of biodiversity by defining defining common action plans and strategycommon action plans and strategy to preserve the natural heritage and the landscapenatural heritage and the landscape in SEE region,

with priority for habitats and species priority for habitats and species that are:

- protectedprotected by the 92/43/EEC and 79/409/EEC Dir.

- typical typical of these eco-regions and/or

- threatenedthreatened by changes of environment (caused by climate changes and wrong management).

From month/year

2 / 2011 To month/year

1 / 2014

Duration 36 months36 months

Project DurationProject Duration

ObjectivesObjectivesTo conserv species and habitats commonconserv species and habitats common to the Partners areas, this way concretely concretely implementing implementing the EU legislative framework, by the definition of :

- a Transnational Joint StrategyTransnational Joint Strategy for the better management and improvement of Natura2000 network

- Joint Transnational Action Plans Joint Transnational Action Plans Using the knowledge and best practices gained within the consortium as a basis

PartnershipPartnership

Number of partners from EU

Austria 3

Bulgaria 1

Greece 1

Hungary 2

Italy 3

Romania 3

Number of partners from Non EU

Serbia 1

Total number of Project Partners

14

PartnershipPartnership

Transnational ApproachTransnational ApproachThe involved project areas involved project areas are characterized by common common habitats and species protected by habitats and species protected by the 92/43/EEC and the 09/147/EU directivesdirectives, endemic or mainly distributedendemic or mainly distributed in these eco-regions and/or migrating across SEE eco-region migrating across SEE eco-region and/or threatened by the changes of the environment threatened by the changes of the environment (climate change and human activity).

Given that the SEE Countries are at different stages at different stages of the application of 92/43/EEC Directive for the implementation of Natura2000implementation of Natura2000, as well as of management management of natural sites, transnational cooperation of natural sites, transnational cooperation is necessary:- to face the loss of biodiversity in a coordinated and homogeneous way according to the EU framework, - to produce a wider and more concrete impact compared to isolated initiatives.

Transnational ApproachTransnational Approach

BE-NATUR aims to improve the better management and implementation of Nature 2000 sites in the SEE eco-regions through implementing transnational activities.

TransTransnational national ActivitiesActivities

Trainings. Communication, dissemination and raising awareness.

The participation and joint work of all PPs is required in all activities.

Innovative CharacterInnovative Character

As the definition of specific Action Plans for the protection of habitat and species, it is a requirement of the Directive 92/43/EEC, plans have already been developed on national level, but to prepare transnational to prepare transnational Action Plans through transnational cooperation Action Plans through transnational cooperation makes BE-NATUR very innovative.

Once the plans will be adopted, they'll represent a toolrepresent a tool, to which a number of countries will refer to, developing concrete actions of conservation coordinated and responding to the same indications. And this can concretely bring toward gap reduction.

Outputs - Outputs - Communication activities

Project Website

Outputs - Outputs - Communication activities

Dissemination materials - mor than 10.000 people were reached

OutputsOutputsTransnational joint strategy and tools for the better management and implementation of Natura 2000 sites

• Individuation of gaps in the management and implementation of Natura2000 sites were collected and summarized in the GAP analysis

• Definition of Joint Transnational Action Plans for common habitats/group of habitats and species - 3 JTSPs for species and 3 for habitats were developed

• Bilateral meetings were organized with the participation of decision makers regarding the national adoptation of the JTAPs

OutputsOutputsTransnational joint strategy and tools for the better management and implementation of Natura 2000 sites

•A TTransnational ransnational TTool and ool and SStrategy trategy for the the better management and implementation of Natura2000 sites was developed

•Transnational visits for experts - 5 visits were organized

OutputsOutputsConcrete implementation of the strategy and improvement of knowledge of human capital

• Training sessions, at local and national level – 36 sessions were organized and 147 experts were trained• Direct interventions of preservation and reintroduction of species - 5 species were preserved and reintroduced

• Direct interventions of restoration and preservation of habitats - 3 habitats were better managed • 3 Management plans for better management of sites were devloped

OutputsOutputsAwareness rising actions and promotion of sustainable tourism

Organisation of targeted workshops and didactic visits - focusing on wetlands, their habitats and wildlife – using the output didactic material developed by hte partnership

– at least 4.000 students and teachers were reached and participated on the workshops organized by each project partner

Thank Thank youyou

Brussels, November 12th 2013

Round Table: “Better management of Natura 2000 sites: challenges and chances for the future”

BEtter management and implementation of NATURa 2000 sites

Zsuzsa FidlòczkyNimfea Environment and Nature Conservation Association (LP) Hungary