Natura 2000, the European Union’s ecological network, is the world’s largest network of protected areas important for the conservation of natural habitats and wild species. It consists of 27 000 areas that are shining examples of the richness and diversity of conserved and healthy ecosystems. This immense richness forms the foundation for sustainable development and the survival of life on Earth.
In order to pay tribute to all those who participated in the challenging establishment of the Natura 2000 network, celebrate and emphasize its values, the European Union declared 21 May as Natura 2000 Day. The Habitats Directive was adopted on the same day in 1992, which, along with the Birds Directive adopted in 1979, forms the legal basis of the ecological network.
Benefits of the Natura 2000 network:
- For nature: Protection and recovery of more than 1200 rare and endangered species, as well as more than 230 habitat types
- For people: Vital services such as drinking water, pollinating insects, protection from floods, erosion and climate change
- For the economy: Ecosystem services worth between 200 and 300 billion euros, livelihoods maintained (4.4 million jobs).
The Natura 2000 network does not advocate a strict conservation regime or the cessation of development activities, but rather, it seeks to enable the coexistence of humans and nature through set goals and conservation measures specific to each area.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the hundred World Heritage Sites included in the Natura 2000 network. It has been recognized as an area important for wild species and habitat types (identification number HR5000020), as well as an area important for bird conservation (HR1000020). The Park area is an invaluable habitat for 28 plant and animal species and 21 bird species from the Natura 2000 network list. The management mechanisms and the goals and measures from the Park’s 2019–2028 Management Plan facilitate the protection and conservation of the species not only in Croatia, but in Europe as well.
The EU has launched the Bioblitz campaign to promote the Natura 2000 Day. The campaign aims to promote the Natura network areas of your choice. You can join the campaign individually, as a family, a group of friends, nature-lovers and scientists, or through an organization or institution (for example, the Plitvice Lakes National Park public institution etc.).
Join the celebration between 17 and 25 May and take part in Bioblitz. You can find more information at Natura 2000 Day, Natura 2000 Bioblitz 2025.
Celebrate the Natura 2000 Day in Plitvice Lakes National Park or another nearby Natura 2000 network area. Experience the richness and diversity of the chosen area and share it with others.
