May 21 is the celebration of European Natura 2000 Day. Thirty-one years ago, the European Commission created what is now the world’s largest network of protected areas. It offers a haven to Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Natura 2000 covers 27 000 sites, totalling no less than 1 215 000 km² across 27 EU Member States. This represents 18% of the EU territory on land – about the equivalent of Spain and France put together – and 9% of EU seas.
Nature protection and restoration is more important than ever with 81% of protected habitats, 39% of protected birds and 63% of other protected species in poor or bad state. On Natura 2000 day, Europeans are invited to explore the beautiful nature and take part in the first-ever Natura 2000 BioBlitz. Together with Observations.org, the EC has set up 18 BioBlitzes in Natura 2000 areas all over Europe. A BioBlitz is a fun challenge in which participants are asked to go to a specific area and scan as many different species as possible, using the free Obsidentify app.
Natura 2000 Day aims to make European citizens more aware of the natural riches the Natura 2000 network holds, the conservation work they carry out, and the benefits to people and to our planet brought by protecting nature. It has been celebrated since the 21st May 1992, when both EU Habitats Directive and LIFE programme were approved.
For information in English about environmental protection in Lithuania, events and discoveries, visit https://vstt.lrv.lt/en/news.
