1. Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – Scoping Document
Expert Group on Management of Natura Milan Janák st March 2012, Brussels

2. New initiative to develop guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – objectives:
Joint-initiative DG ENV and DG AGRI:
Contribute to improvement of conservation status of habitats and species dependent on forests in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 targets
Clarify the implementation of Birds and Habitats Directives
Promote (where appropriate) more integrated management of forests in Natura 2000 areas, by strengthening partnership / involvement of stakeholders and the forest sector in management of Natura 2000 network

3. New initiative to develop guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests :
Two phases:
Phase 1: Initial scoping exercise to get a ‘tour d’horizon’ on the key issues related to forests in Natura 2000
Phase 2: start developing guidelines through bottom up and participatory process with key stakeholders
Different approach to guideance development as compared to the sector guidance docs which focussed on Art 6.3

4. Natura 2000 and forests ‘Challenges and opportunities’ - Interpretation guide, 2003
Facilitate understanding of the mechanics of the Habitats Directive among various stakeholders
Propose general guidelines and recommendations for dealing with forest areas within Natura 2000
facilitate communication between different stakeholders;
Give a framework of non-mandatory guidelines for management of Natura 2000 forest sites
Partly outdated – EU 15 Vs EU 27 – done at a time when little experience with managing N2000 istes
Parts still relevant: general requirements; operational-level guidelines for (sustainable) forest management in Natura 2000;

5. New Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – Background/scoping Document
Basic facts on Natura 2000 sites and forests
Key forest habitat types
Key forest species
Overview of most significant forest habitats /uses by biogeographical regions
Potential contribution of forest management in Natura 2000 to EU biodiversity strategy
Pressures and threats to forests in Natura 2000
Global environmental concerns
Other environmental threats
Forestry practices

6. Forests and Other Wooded Land in EU and Natura 2000
% of Natura 2000 which is forest ranges in (UK) – 79.17% (CY)
% of total forest within Natura 2000 ranges in (UK) – 52.53% (BG)
Coutry
Total Natura 2000 (km²)
Total N2K Forest Area (km²)
% N2K which is Forest
EUROSTAT Forest & OWL
in 2010
Total Forest in N2K (%) EU
50,84%
23,10%

7. New Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – Background Scoping Document
Nature legislation requirements for Natura 2000 forests
Summary of EU nature legislation
Design and implementation of suitable measures for the management of forest in Natura 2000
Forest Management plans and Natura 2000
Nature conservation & forestry – key future challenges
Policy issues and management options
Land use changes
Property rights and financing issues
Links to the Forest Europe process

8. New Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – Key issues to consider:
Potential key issues to be considered for guidance:
Clarification of the different conservation goals for forests in N2000 based on a better understanding of what is in N2000
Eg are they annex I forests/ habitats for forest species/ forests with no specific designation but in N different management regimes / restrictions required ...
Different management approaches to forests considering their current land uses, land ownership as well as biogeographical variations
Ways to better reconcile and integrate EU nature legislation requirements into existing forest policies and practices

9. New Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – Key issues to consider:
Clarify the relationship between Sustainable Forest Management and N2000 requirements
SFM sometimes insufficient to meet N2000 obligations; when to consider non-intervention?
When are Article 6.3 procedure required for forest activities where there is a forest plan in place – key principles and approaches
Financing forest management in N2000 – how to improve access to funds

10. New Guidance on Natura 2000 and Forests – working methodology:
The guidance document will developed through dialogue with all interested parties
start by asking stakeholders what they would like to see in terms of guidance – no prefixed format but to remain clear about over focus which is about managing forests in N2000
Gather ideas, views and experiences through technical workshops .
This aims to engage forest stakeholders in an open process designed to address their key concerns and where they can play an active role
Information and views collected from workshops can then be used to develop a first draft guidance document
Expert Group on Natura 2000 management will also be consulted to ensure consistency with other on-going initiatives
Case studies will be used to highlight good practices, win-wins etc

11. Thank you for your attention!