Working together in Natura 2000 The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process 7 May 2014

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Ensure significant progress towards the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy targets Build common understanding of the role of the Natura 2000 network in achieving favourable conservation status Improve & strengthen implementation of Natura 2000 - develop new management insights and agree priority management actions Develop cooperation between Member States, stakeholder organizations, environmental NGOs and specialist networks Integrate Natura 2000 management actions to achieve multiple benefits - recognize the role of Natura 2000 in generating socio-economic benefits Network, share information and experience and build new know-how

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Build upon reporting evidence from Article 17 HD/Article 12 BD to identify conservation objectives and measures required at different levels within biogeographical regions Enable Steering Committees to play a more strategic role - ensure greater focus on common strategic priorities and agreed targets Mobilize greater inputs from strategic stakeholders and increased participation from practitioners Increase opportunities for networking to improve practical Natura 2000 management, matched by shared commitments for future actions New scope to move beyond habitats to include flagship species where useful as indicators and in raising public awareness Identify scope for potential initiatives involving EU co-financing.

The Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Main steps to achieve specific outcomes Primary steps Outcomes 1 State where we are currently Know what practical measures and actions are required to maintain or improve habitats’ condition and status. 2 Agree priorities for progress   Common problems and issues defined and scope for cooperative actions identified. 3 Agree what we need to do Collaborative actions for shared priorities, matched by commitments to act on the priorities so that work gets done. 4 Communicate: Share knowledge and best practice, publish results of networking events Intensively use the Natura 2000 Platform & networking opportunities available through the Process.

Mediterranean Kick Off Seminar 26 to 28 May 2014, Thessaloniki Seminar input document – informed by expert feedback Focus on pracitcal habitat management > common issues, shared priorities & future collaborative actions. Day 1 – visits to 3 Natura 2000 wetlands sites Day 2 – 4 habitat groups, including best practice case studies Day 2 – Knowledge Market Day 3 – Plenary conclusions – planned strategic outcomes for future coopeartion and collaboration.

Natura 2000 Platform Design changes Website header with Natura 2000 logo Homepage redesigned Latest news Links to relevant sites Upcoming events (visible on every page) Lay-out unified for whole website Main menu restructured Events divided in process related and general Site map at bottom of every page (easier for the visually impaired to use with voice-driven web browsers)

Restructured menu Process related information Information repository F.A.Q. Library Networking events Action and follow-up Information repository Explore the knowledge base Expert directory Links to other sources Links to Member States

General website statistics Uploaded 1st quarter of 2014: 85 Documents 17 Process documents 68 Information sources 13 Projects 50 Links 52 Natura 2000 Experts’ profiles ‘Natura 2000 (N2K) International’ LinkedIn group Number of members: 2648 Active discussions to link through the Natura 2000 Platform.

Example of page content Action & Follow-up: Atlantic region Government/OBN report (2012) on Recovery strategies for nitrogen-sensitive habitats translated into English and published on the Natura 2000 Platform. JNCC workshop on the impacts of nitrogen deposition on the conservation status of Natura 2000 sites and the wider landscape. Peterborough, UK, December 2013 - 47 presentations uploaded Final report to be published in May 2014

The Natura 2000 Seminars Biogeographical Region First Seminar or Kick-off Seminar Thematic events Review Seminar (indicative) Thematic Events Boreal May 2012 ongoing 2015 Continue after 2015 Atlantic December 2012 2016 Continue after 2016 Alpine November 2013 Mediterranean May 2014 As from 2014 2017 Continue after 2017 Macaronesian As from 2015 2018 Continue after 2018 Continental, Pannonian, Black Sea, Steppic Marine 2014

The development of the Natura 2000 Platform Thank you very much The development of the Natura 2000 Platform