This year the European Commission has launched a new Award designed to celebrate and promote best practices for nature conservation in Europe. The Award aims to bring the success of the Natura 2000 network to the public’s attention and to demonstrate its importance for protecting biodiversity across Europe. The initiative rewards excellence in the management and promotion of the network and its objectives. Natura 2000 works to assure the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats, and is the centrepiece of the EU’s nature and biodiversity policy.
There are 22 finalists, selected among the 163 applications received from across Europe. The 5 winners will be announced at the ceremony by the European Commissioner Janez Potočnik, together with the jury members, in the presence of leading figures involved in nature conservation.
