1. The Mediterranean & Macaronesian Natura 2000 Seminar process
First meeting of the Steering Committee of the Mediterranean/Macaronesian Natura 2000 Seminar
Brussels, 21 February 2013

2. Natura 2000 is more than a network of protected areas !
It is also a network of
people and sectors working together,
experts exchanging knowledge,
practitioners sharing experience and best practice.

3. The New Biogeographic Process is
aiming at FCS of selected habitats and species
directly linked to targets 1 & 2 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

4. The process enhances the EU-added value of the Natura 2000 network;
networking and cooperation between experts and practitioners;
coordination and facilitation of cross boundary and in-country projects (LIFE nature and other projects);
exploration of opportunities & synergies (e.g. for cross-border cooperation);
Natura 2000 Seminars 4

5. The process includes
the identification of barriers and bottlenecks that hamper habitat management;
The identification of best practice;
the shared formulation of practical management solutions and effective recommendations;
Networking;
A communication platform.
Natura 2000 Seminars 5

6. Working together & networking is a continuous process (with the ‘Background Document’ being a living knowledge base)
Working together requires permanent (and voluntary) engagement of actors (Lead MSs, NGOs, Stakeholders, experts…)
Natura 2000 Seminars and Workshops are periodic events for the formulation of practical management solutions and effective recommendations towards achieving FCS

7. The Communication Platform 'Working together in Natura 2000' seminars
An internet-based instrument for communicating and exchanging information on conservation objectives and measures and their follow-up between all actors involved in the process, also during the period between the seminars.
It will also allow for informing the public on the results of the Seminars
It will be established on the Europa website under

8. Working together in Natura 2000 - the three main components of the communication platform
Knowledge base (background info, etc)
Networking and cooperation, incl. Contacts, events, links to member states & networks
Seminar results, action & events and follow-up

9. First round of Natura 2000 Seminars planning
BioGeo region
Preparatory workshop
Seminar
Boreal
25/26 Jan. 2012
28/29 May 2012
Atlantic
20/21 June 2012
3/5 Dec. 2012
Alpine
12/14 June 2013
November 2013
Mediterranean / Macaronesian
December 2013 / January 2014
June 2014 (?)
Continental / Pannonian / Steppic / Black Sea
Autumn 2014
Spring 2015

10. The MED / MAC Process Tentative planning
First meeting Steering Committee: 21 Feb. 2013
Final draft pre-scoping document: Mid-March 2013
Second meeting of the Steering Committee: April / May 2013
First draft background document: September 2013
Third meeting of the Steering Committee: Sept./Oct. 2013
Preparatory Workshop: Dec / Jan. 2014
Fourth & Fifth meetings of SC: Feb./Apr. 2014
Draft Seminar Document: April 2014
MED/MAC Natura 2000 Seminar: June 2014

11. Background document (BD)
The Mediterranean / Macaronesian Process SC SC
Workshop SC
Seminar
BD Consult
BD Improve
Background document (BD)
Pre-Scoping Document
Seminar Document
Seminar Report
25.2
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
Feb. 2013
Mar. 2013
Apr. 2013
Sept. 2013
Oct. 2013
Dec. 2013
Jan. 2014
Feb. 2014
Mar. 2014
Apr. 2014
May 2014
June 2014

12. Issues to be discussed before and at the preparatory Workshop:
1. What are the common problems/issues in management of habitats over the biogeographical region?
2. What special management measures are required to accommodate habitats and key associated species?
3. What are the potential solutions to these problems?
4. Are there concrete possibilities for cooperation/cooperative action linked to the preferred solutions that could be launched at the seminar?

13. Possible Working groups to be established (tentative) and lead countries
Mediterranean and Macaronesian Natura 2000 Seminar (LMS?)
1. Forests (LMS?)
2. Grasslands (LMS?)
3. Heath, Scrubs & sparsely vegetated land (LMS?)
Mires, bogs, rivers & lakes (LMS?)
Coastal & marine (LMS?)

14. More information See also Nature & Biodiversity homepage:
The public Natura 2000 CIRCABC Website:
N.B. There is a public Natura 2000 CIRCABC site and in addition there is a restricted CIRCABC site for each Steering Committee:
In the future the restricted sites will be regrouped into one single CIRCABC site for all Steering Committees
See also Nature & Biodiversity homepage: