Press Release: New award shines a spotlight on Europe’s biodiversity

The European Commission on 19 December 2013 announced that it is launching a Natura 2000 Award to recognise excellence in best practices for nature conservation in Europe.

Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas of high biodiversity value that covers around 20% of EU territory with a wealth of flora and fauna, from mountainous beech forests in the Czech Republic to turtles in Polish wetlands and dolphins off the coast of Spain. As well as protecting nature, the network provides numerous social and economic benefits.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Environment: More citizens calling for greater nature protection http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-more-citizens-calling-for-greater-nature-protection/

European Commission: DG Environment: Natura 2020: Website: European Natura 2000 Award http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/awards/

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