Today we celebrate the world’s largest coordinated network of protected areas created do preserve the most endangered species and habitats in Europe. 21 May is the day the Habitats Directive was adopted (21 May 1992), which forms the legal basis of the Natura network alongside the Birds Directive, adopted in 1979. The purpose of celebrating Natura 2000 Day is to educate the public about the importance of nature conservation for the benefit of all of us.
The protection of species and their habitats is not only our duty to nature, but a matter of our own interest, our own survival!
The Natura 2000 network provides priceless benefits for nature, people and economies.
It ensures the protection and recovery of 1200 rare and endangered species and 230 types of habitat. It offers vital services to people, such as fresh water, pollinating insects, flood protection, erosion protection and climate protection. As for economies, it provides ecosystem services worth around EUR 200 – 300 billion per year. More than 4 million jobs directly depend on healthy ecosystems in Europe.
The Natura network does not involve a strict protection regime and halting development activities, but rather the establishing of management mechanisms to ensure the coexistence of humans and nature.
The many sites it includes (over 27000) successfully contribute to the preservation of European natural heritage through the defined management mechanisms. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is also part of the Natura 2000 network. The Park implements a Management plan through which it ensures the protection and preservation of the most endangered species and habitats in Europe and the world: 28 plant and animal species (other than birds), 21 bird species and 20 habitat types.
To learn more about the Natura network go to https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000_en, visit one of the many Natura sites and contribute to its preservation activities.
Visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a Natura 2000 site!
