Press Release: Environment: Major expansion of Europe’s protected natural areas

On the 21 November 2011 Natura 2000, the EU's network of protected areas, experienced a significant expansion. Nearly 18 800 square kilometres were added, including a major addition of marine areas covering 17 000 square kilometres

The network, with that enlargement, covered almost 18% of the EU's landmass and more than 145 000 km² of its seas. Natura 2000 at that moment, was the centrepiece of Europe's battle to halt biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystem services

• Primary Source

the Natura 2000 Networking Programme http://www.natura.org/

European Commission: DG Environment: Policies: Nature and diversity: Biodiversity in the EU http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/index_en.htm

European Commission: Memo/11/806: Details on the new additions to the Union lists of Natura 2000 sites http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/806&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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