Pilot Natura 2000 Seminar for the Boreal Region Aulanko, Finland 28-30 May 2012

The new Biogeographic Process Natura 2000 seminars more than a network of protected areas ! A network of people and sectors working together experts exchanging knowledge practitioners sharing experience and best practice

The New Biogeographic Process is focusing on improving the management of Natura 2000 sites and aiming at FCS of selected habitats and species; directly linked to target 1 of the EU biodiversity strategy; not an instrument to assess progress of MS, based on voluntary cooperation between all actors; strongly depending on active involvement of MS and stakeholders / NGOs. Natura 2000 Seminars

The process includes the identification of barriers and bottlenecks that hamper habitat management; the shared formulation of practical management solutions and effective recommendations; knowledge management - not additional reporting ; no additional burden on Member States for information gathering (ref.: Article 17). Knowledge comes from MS experts, NGOs, expert groups and other habitat/species experts. Natura 2000 Seminars 4

The process enhances networking and cooperation between experts and practitioners; the coordination and facilitation of cross boundary and in-country projects (LIFE nature and other projects); the exploration of opportunities & synergies (e.g. for cross-border cooperation); the pooling and dissemination of habitat management expertise. It also provides a Communication platform with free access to information Natura 2000 Seminars 5

Working together & networking is a continuous process (with the ‘Background Document’ being a living document) Working together requires permanent (and voluntary) engagement of actors Natura 2000 Seminars and workshops are periodic events for the formulation of practical management solutions and effective recommendations towards achieving FCS

Key documents Background document (knowledge) Where we are in management Problems/threats ‘Living document’ Seminar document (focusing discussions) Possible solutions Possible recommendations / conclusions for management and cooperative actions Seminar report / conclusions Based on Seminar documents and discussions at the seminar

The Boreal Natura 2000 Seminar Natura 2000 Seminars Atlantic Biogeographic Region 8

Thank you very much to the Lead Country Finland for all its efforts for promoting the process in the Boreal Region and for hosting meetings, the workshop and the pilot Natura 2000 Seminar ! to the Lead countries for their active support and the coordination of the working groups, to all experts involved, especially the NGOs and our contractor.