EU Natura 2000 sites and the Habitat Directive

"Biodiversity is increasingly recognised as an inestimable element of our common heritage. The last Eurobarometer shows that European citizens take a great interest in the protection of rare and endangered species and habitats. This is the purpose of the Natura 2000 ecological network established by the ‘Habitats’ directive, which was adopted in 1992. The network, which also embraces areas established under the ‘Birds’ directive, will provide a strong protection for Europe’s finest wildlife areas.
The management of the Natura 2000 sites is essential for their conservation. But to be successful it requires, in the first instance, the active involvement of the people who live in and depend upon these
areas. The measures for managing Natura 2000 sites are given in Article 6 of the ‘Habitats’ directive.
(...) This document is therefore intended to facilitate the interpretation of Article 6 by competent authorities in the Member States. I hope it assists them in fully applying it and I would encourage them to further develop guidelines for the different actors concerned. This important document, which aims at a better understanding of Community legislation by the citizens, should also be seen as part of the openness and transparency policy of the European Commission."

Margot Wallström - Commissioner for the Environment

Here you can download the report in your own language:

Managing Natura 2000 sites:
The provisions of Article 6 of the 'Habitats' Directive 92/43/EEC
(pdf ~290K; except [el] ~3,800K)

© European Communities, 2000