The European Day of the Natura 2000 Network is celebrated on May 21. This day is celebrated with the aim of vindicating, as well as making visible, the role of the Natura Network of the European Union, in charge of the conservation of the natural heritage and an element of sustainable development. The Natura 2000 Network is the largest network of protected areas in the world.

To commemorate the establishment of the Natura 2000 Network, the European Commission together with the European Parliament, the Council Presidency and the Committee of the Regions made May 21 the European Natura 2000 Day.

This network was created in 1992 under the Habitats Directive of Community Interest in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC: "A coherent European ecological network of special areas of conservation, called ‘Natura 2000’, is hereby established. This network, composed of sites hosting natural habitat types listed in Annex I and habitats of species listed in Annex II, shall ensure the maintenance or, where appropriate, the re-establishment, at a favorable conservation status, of the natural habitat types and habitats of the species concerned in their natural range" (Article 3.1, Habitats Directive).

This is a network of protected areas throughout the European Union, consisting of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), designated under the Habitats Directive, and Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs), established under the Birds Directive. The Habitats and Birds Directives have been transposed into Spanish law through Law 42/2007, of December 13, 2007, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which constitutes the basic framework for Natura 2000 in Spain.

In Europe, 27,522 sites occupy more than 1,148,000 km2. In Spain, 30% of the territory falls within the Natura 2000 network, offering refuge to the most valuable and threatened species and habitats, while ensuring the conservation of biodiversity and key ecosystem services such as carbon storage, maintenance of water quality or protection against floods or droughts.

In 2020, the Day focuses on “young people and nature” with the aim of inspiring them to engage in the protection and restoration of nature.

More information at: http://www.natura2000day.es/red-natura-2000/

Communication CIDE