Management Natura 2000 in EU27

Lessons learned

Rink W. KRUK (INBO)Geert DE BLUST (INBO)Rob van APELDOORN (Alterra)Andrew SIERS (CEH)

EU27 Research Project: Natura 2000

EU funded project, for EU27

- Designation of Natura 2000 sites- Management of Natura 2000 sites- Examples of truly integrated management

- Website, for sharing knowledge on Natura 2000 management - Award ’Natura 2000 Partner of the Year’ (EC)

3 reports

Content

- Progress of Natura 2000

- Management of Natura 2000 sites

- Challenges and Solutions

- Example of integrated management

- Conclusions

Where are we now?

Earliest designation deadlines 2007, 2009, 2010.Most 2011-2014

Management still in its infancy

Progress SCIs designation (Natura 2000 database June 2008; ETC/BD)

Management: General

Two types of managing:- Incorporation into sectoral laws- Management plan per site(s)

Different points of departure for countries(tradition, already existing structures, (de-)population)

Management InstrumentsContracts, Letters of intent, compensation, buying, etc.

Voluntary Obligatory- Management Plans (often guiding)- Execution

Management: Developing

Two types of realizing management plans-Top-down (e.g. Denmark, Finland)-By stakeholders (e.g. France/UK)

Responsibility Execution of Management- National Park administration and alike- Special management authorities - Municipalities- Other (NGOs, National agencies, …)

Guidelines for- Management plans (content, writing, execution)

Guidelines

- All Natura 2000 sites- groups of similar sites

- ecological/geographical region- species or habitat-type- type or degree of cooperation

(traditional users, professionals)

Danger: Can be valid for so many things that it becomes too vague

Necessary for defining requirements, structuring management

x

Challenges and Solutions - 1

Communication

- Resentment towards Natura 2000, due to little communication during designation process- Stakeholders often no idea of social-economic aspects of Natura 2000

Solutions:- Communication very important in all stages- Give stakeholders sense of ownership of nature protection

Challenges and Solutions - 2

Conservation Objectives

- Often too little data to formulate sound Conservation Objectives- Too vaguely described in management plans

Solutions:- Adapt existing monitoring programmes- Assistance of NGOs, universities, etc. (guide)- New monitoring programmes

- Enforce clear conservation objectives in management plans

Challenges and Solutions - 3

Staff (capacity)

Leading to- Disorientation of all stakeholder groups- Delay

Solutions- Essential to invest in staff- Involve NGOs- Involve stakeholders- Outsource to National Parks

NB Keep good supervision, guide (strategy)

Funding (capacity)

-…- Plan written, no funding structure ready- Municipalities (big responsibility, little priority)

Challenges and Solutions - 4

Solutions- Combine with socio-economic development - European Funds (projects as guidance)- Realize sufficient funds and funding: clear, structure- Realistic definition of responsibilities

NB Countries very creative. Some countries rely primarily on EU Funds, but how long will that still last?

Challenges and Solutions - 5

Continuity

In management and control

Now:Many short-term projects leading to- Distrust of stakeholders- Loss of knowledge, skills and experience

Solutions:- Dedicate an amount for continuity of management and its control- Set-up Management Authority

Challenges and Solutions - 6

Strategy, Guidelines

None or vague?- Distrust, confusion of stakeholders- Little happens- Very varying quality of conservation

Solutions:- Specify precisely who is responsible for what- Twinning projects and alike- Guidelines for management plans (important requirements), structure the processes

x

Integrated management

Parc de Massif de Bauges – Prairies Fleuries

- Management by objective, not by prohibition

- Compensation paid (PHARE2), voluntary

- Simple self monitoring system

- Higher quality fodder for cattle and cheese

- Special nature branding for honey and cheese

- Award for agro-ecological excellence

Now: 65 farmers, 875haTo be: 220 farmers, 4000ha

Cooperation between farmers, bee-keepers, authorities, research inst.

- NGOs play major role in developing and execution Management

- Stakeholders must be informed about socio-economic aspects

- Clear strategy, clear objectives (guidelines)

- Communication with stakeholders at all stages

- Give stakeholders an idea of ownership on nature protection

- Guarantee sufficient leading of management and control (cont.)

- Synergy of multiple activities in one area and nature protection

Conclusions