Landowners’ Contribution Experience with the Natura 2000

Landowners’ ContributionExperience with the Natura 2000

Landowners’ ContributionExperience with the Natura 2000

International Natura 2000 Conference“Restoring Ecosystem, Benefits and Value”

Tallinn, 21-22 October 2010

Ana Rocha

European Landowners Organization 2

MEMBER ORGANISATIONS&

ASSOCIATED MEMBERS


10 Major World Challenges by which Landowners and Managers are affected or impacted on:

10 Major World Challenges by which Landowners and Managers are affected or impacted on:

• Population Growth

• Promotion of renewable energies

• Globalization

• Urbanization

• Climate Change

• Social problems

• Increasing market volatility

• Timing and application of innovations (biotech/carbon sequestration)

• Impacts on Natural Resources


The Land Manager…– Is aware that “Natural assets are valuable but also vulnerable”

– Is able to provide solutions: - Regulating and enhancing natural resources;- Securing the good condition of land;- Influencing positively the fauna, flora and their ecosystems;- Supporting surrounding rural economies and communities (avoiding desertification);- Creating added value to the natural and cultural heritage.

The Land Manager…– Is aware that “Natural assets are valuable but also vulnerable”

– Is able to provide solutions: - Regulating and enhancing natural resources;- Securing the good condition of land;- Influencing positively the fauna, flora and their ecosystems;- Supporting surrounding rural economies and communities (avoiding desertification);- Creating added value to the natural and cultural heritage.

Examples of valuable forests:

Floodplain forestCork Oak

Forests


Total : 26.000 sites ~ 18% of EU 27 territory

- The largest co-ordinated network of conservation areas in the world

- 30% of Natura 2000 areas are located in forest land

NATURA 2000: network of protected areas based on Birds & Habitat directives


The vast majority of rural areas are privately owned, notably under Natura 2000

Land Users are leaving with environmental legislations on the field (N2K + bulk of environmental legislation, in N2K sites and wider countryside)

ConflictsLack of understanding

Lack of recognition


Positive trends in forest biodiversityTotal forest area and the standing volumes have increased. Protected forest area increasingForests are growing olderAfforestation of agricultural landCertification of forest productsImproved forest affecting policy Sustainable forest management


How much is worth Recognition?La Cassinazza (ITALY)La Cassinazza (ITALY)19961996

TODAYTODAY


LAND MANAGERS NEED RECOGNITION


ELO’s actions towards the sustainable management of Europe‘s natural resources:- Lobby actions- Projects- Environmental Awards- Forums and communication

Anders WALL Award Belleuropa Award ELO Wetlands and Water Award Environment and Soil Management

Award


“Ecological restoration of the Pond area M-L through a close participation of the private and public landowners

and a triple E-approach”

Projects, such as...


PROJECT LOCATION: Midden-LimburgDURATION: Start: 01/01/10 - End: 31/12/13Project area: ~4.500 haCoordinating Beneficiary: European Landowners’ Organization asbl (ELO) Associated Beneficiaries: vzw Ontwikkeling Vijvergebied Midden-Limburg (OVML), vzw Regionaal Landschap Lage Kempen (RLLK), vzw Limburgs Landschap (Lila), Municipality of Hasselt (HAS), Municipality of Zonhoven (ZON), Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (ANB)

Main land uses:• Fishfarming: on 75% of the ponds of 330 ha• Farming: on 515 ha• Forestry: on 1.033 ha• Tourism, urbanisation, other: on 692 ha


MAIN EU POLICIES TARGETED:

- implementation of Natura2000

- counteracting biodiversity loss

Life+ co-financing- EU financial instrument - 2007-2013- 3 categories:

• ‘Nature & Biodiversity’• ‘Envir. Policy & Governance’• ‘Information & Communication’

Project objectives:

1. Ecological restoration;

2. Participation private landowners (ppp) + close collaboration all stakeholders

3. Establ. sustain. ‘Triple E’ synergie (Economy – Ecology – Education)

4. Raising public awareness Natura2000

5. Demonstration Best Practice private involv.


Other projects such the Wildlife Estates initiative

The WE initiative is crucial at the time where restrictions in budgets to communities will affect the rural areas.oThe WE network allows rural entrepreneurs and land managers to anticipate new EU legislations and to work towards new tools bringing solutions to existing problems.oThe WE network communicates affordable ways of enhancing biodiversity thanks to land management in favor of wildlife.


Disadvantages Impact assessment for new projects Variability among MS Possible lack of coherence between N 2000 management plans and national forests

management plans Uncertainty on funding Eco-conditionality

Advantages Priority to private or local community owners for access to funds Natura 2000 an opportunity to offer and implement quality service

Lessons learn from ELO’s actions and contact with members:


Consists in natural and man-made elements (such as reforestation zones, green bridges, green urban areas, high nature value farmland or forest areas).

Green InfrastructureGreen Infrastructure

Finalize establishment of network

Management planning & Integration of other sectors

Monitor the effectiveness of the nature directives

Governance, Financing and Communication issues

Beyond the network: corridors & stepping stones

Future challenges


What’s needed?What’s needed?

- Answer to market failures.

-EU tools like CAP: secure provision of agriculture’s “positive externalities”, there must be appropriate CAP restructuring and financing.

-Training farmers, building a knowledge base and encouraging discussions between farmers, farmers and scientists, etc.

- Encouraging innovation and research and trying new technologies.

- Communicate best practices.


Important to have strong EU commitments to answer the future challenges

Natural resources’ future lies to a large extent in the hands of land managers

Important to have vertical but also horizontal coordination: stakeholder involvement

Final decisions on resource management are taken at local level

Important to foment initiatives that promote synergies between conservation and sustainable use – balanced approach.

The efforts of farmers in favor of preservation and enhancement of natural resources can be encouraged to the extent that we keep agriculture competitive and efficient.

Need to secure provision of ecosystem goods and services

Conclusions:


A good knowledge base – data & experience essential for communication and decision-making – sharing!

Responsibility for site management must be rewarded - Easy, accessible, dedicated funding & other reward mechanisms

Information and education targeted to the needs of stakeholders - Clear out-reach communication, information & education strategies at site, national and European levels


Working in partnershipPeople and nature – not nature without people


Thank you for listening!

Ana RochaEuropean Landowners' Organization

Rue de Trèves 67B-1040 Brussels

+32(0)2 235 20 04+32(0)2 234 30 09

[email protected]

Landowners’ Contribution Experience with the Natura 2000

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