Stories

Stories

Women use ancient methods for preserves

Women use ancient methods for preserves

Fundatia ADEPT is a biodiversity conservation and rural development NGO based in Romania. Their people have been committed to protecting Transylvania's nature-rich , farmed landscapes and supporting traditional farming communities for almost 20 years. These communities created the landscape over centuries and maintain it until today. In the Târnava Mare area, part of Natura 2000, typically, the farmers' wives turned the fruit harvested from gardens, orchards and woods into jams, compotes, and syrups.

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Saving vultures by livestock farming

Saving vultures by livestock farming

Mountain livestock grazing plays an important role in preserving the landscape and its biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions and forest fires. Despite this, it is one of the most threatened economic activities in the Picos de Europa, a National Park located in the north of Spain. The aim of the new Pro-Biodiversidad Brand is to recover this production system in Natura 2000 mountain areas and to promote a direct marketing model for their local products.

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Promotion of sustainable farming in Natura 2000 areas in Spain

Promotion of sustainable farming in Natura 2000 areas in Spain

Since 2009, Fundación Global Nature (FGN) develops a pioneer programme to support the production and selling of pulses (lentils and chickpeas) produced under organic schemes and in Natura 2000 sites. This programme is based in a wide Land Stewardship Network strategy, where FGN involves farmers in nature conservation projects, Biodiversity Action Plans, Sustainable Productive Code, and so on.

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Bear friendly products promoting the coexistence between bears and humans

Bear friendly products promoting the coexistence between bears and humans

Human acceptance of bears is the most important factor in ensuring the species’ long-term survival in the human-dominated landscape of the Dinarics. Therefore, reducing human-bear conflicts is crucial for the conservation of bears. Through the LIFE DINALP BEAR project, conservationists are working to do so through awareness raising and the bear-friendly label.

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Authentic and tasty food from the Balkan

Authentic and tasty food from the Balkan

The twenty-five farmers involved in the 'Balkan for the People' project have been assisted by the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme in order to benefit from ecosystem services while maintaining beneficial economic activities.

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MORE ABOUT

NATURA 2000 BRANDING

Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world. People living in and around Natura 2000 areas utilise these for a variety of economic activities. Designation of Natura 2000 areas often creates additional restrictions though, sometimes leading people to perceive Natura 2000 as a burden. One solution to this problem is to make products coming from Natura 2000 areas better known and more appealing to the public and increase awareness of the benefits these products provide for nature and for people working in Natura 2000 areas.

This website is part of a Natura 2000 branding campaign, stressing the benefits Natura 2000 can provide to local economies. It showcases products produced in Natura 2000 areas accompanied by inspiring background stories about the collaborations and socio-economic benefits related to those products. By sharing these successful and positive stories the campaign aims to trigger new partnerships between site managers, farmers and local businesses, and improve perceptions of and increase support for the Natura 2000 network.



Natura 2000 branding benefits people, nature and local economy