Brussels, 23/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The winners of the first Natura 2000 competition - named after the pan-European network of natural sites protected under EU legislation - were announced on the evening of Wednesday 21 May and were awarded their trophies by Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, at a ceremony also attended by the members of the panel. This competition, which was arranged by the European Commission to promote the best practices in conserving nature in Europe, will be held every year from now on.
“These awards showcase some examples of the great work that is being done across the EU by site managers, public authorities, conservation organisations and volunteers, farmers, foresters, hunters and fishermen, scientists teachers and many others besides”, said Potocnik, at the awards ceremony.
The winners are: - in the conservation category: the project to save the imperial eagle in Sakar, Bulgaria; - in the'socio-economic benefits category, the project Sighisoara - Târnava Mare, in Romania, which allows farmers to improve their income by working sustainably on high nature value land; - in the communication category: Rana-Hradek, in the Czech Republic, for its promotion of the protection of dry grassland habitats in the Louny region; - in the reconciling interests/perceptions category: the project Vijvergebied van Midden Limburg (ponds in Mid-Limburg), Belgium, allowing landowners, nature organisations and authorities to work together to manage wetlands; - in the networking and cross-border co-operation category: a technical cooperation network in Spain for the development of quality standards for management and a reference website on the state of the Natura 2000 in Spain. Of the 163 applications received from throughout Europe, the five winners were selected from a shortlist of 22. (AN)