NaturaConnect aims to design and develop a blueprint for a truly coherent Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) of conserved areas that reaches the targets of the Biodiversity strategy for 2030 commissioned by the European Union. The project brings together universities and research institutes, government bodies and non-governmental organizations, working together with key stakeholders to create targeted knowledge and tools. The key aim of NaturaConnect is to support the capacity building in European Union Member States to establish an ecologically representative, resilient, and well-connected network of conserved areas across Europe.
Aims of NaturaConnect
Biodiversity is fundamental to both our planet and for people. It provides us with clean air and water, food, and medicine. However, due to the accelerating biodiversity crisis only 23% of species and 16% of habitats under the European Union Nature Directives are in good health. In response, the European Union has developed a 2030 Biodiversity Strategy which aims to put biodiversity back on the path to recovery by 2030, and contribute to the European Green Deal goal of preserving and restoring Europe’s natural capital. The Strategy aims to legally protect at least 30% of the land, including inland waters, and 30% of the sea in the European Union, of which at least one third should be under strict protection, including all remaining primary and old-growth forests. A key goal of the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy is to develop a Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N), that addresses gaps in the coverage of priority habitats and species, and brings added coherence to the network of the Natura 2000 sites and other nationally-designated protected areas.
NaturaConnect is a European Union Horizon Europe funded project that will support the development of the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N). The project brings together a comprehensive team of interdisciplinary scientists and NGOs from 22 institutions in 15 European Union Member States, working to support European Union Member States in designing an ecological network of conservation areas across Europe that will effectively facilitate reaching the targets of the European Union Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
Finland is one of six case studies
NaturaConnect encompasses six European case studies, which will inform stakeholders on project implementation as well as help apply and test the analysis tools and methodologies developed under the project.
The Finland case study, that the Finnish Environment Institute has a large role in, aims to evaluate and recognize the conflicts and synergies between national and European Union level conservation priorities and plans. We assess where priorities between the two levels of planning align and where disagreements arise. Together with stakeholders, the case study will develop suggestions for solutions to reach optimal and sustainable conservation objectives. This work supports environmental administration and the Finnish Government in refining its pledges for the extension of protected areas in line with the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
Further infirmation:
NaturaConnect homepage: https://naturaconnect.eu/
Senior Research Scientist Maria Hällfors: firstname.surname@syke.fi