Networking biodiversity conservation initiatives

The setting up of networks of sites of great ecological value and in particular of protected areas at local, regional, national and international level is fundamental to the conservation of biological and landscape diversity.

The Pan-European Ecological Network is one of the prime objectives of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, as a means of ensuring the conservation of ecosystems, habitats, species, genetic diversity and landscapes. The Resolution on Biological and Landscape Diversity, approved by the Conference of Ministers in Århus on 25 June 1998, reaffirms the importance of the Pan-European Ecological Network.

The European Commission LEADER Programme 2000 - 2006 will provide help to local action groups (LAGs) outside government or local authority control. Pilot strategies, inter-area co-operation and networking will be supported. Its section focusing on support for cooperation between rural territories aims to promote the pursuit of joint actions through the funding of technical assistance in the context of inter-territorial and transnational cooperation. Its networking section concerns the exchange of experiences between interested parties in the European Community. At the European level, a "rural territories observatory" piloted by the Commission will guarantee networking at the European level and the operation of the system.

1. Promoting regional and sub-regional cooperation on environmental protection
2. Networking programmes
3. Linking local and global commons
4. Integrating biodiversity conservation strategies
5. Coordinating regional sustainable development activities

1. Networking protected biodiversity sites
2. Networking community forest management projects
3. Networking biodiversity research
4. Linking research centres and farmers groups on environmentally sound farming practices

1. Systematizing structures for environmental protection
2. Supporting and coordinating national studies on sustainable development pathways
3. Linking users of Earth observation data
4. Improving cooperation among environmental research programmes
5. Coordinating international sustainable development activities at field level
6. Coordinating environmental research
7. Coordinating environmental assessment activities at the international level
8. Coordinating data and statistical systems to support long-term scientific assessment of the environment

1. Strengthening cooperation between developing countries
2. Networking the environment and development arena
3. Networking environmental lawyers
4. Linking established science with indigenous knowledge
5. Linking different environmental information electronic networks
6. Facilitating contacts among marine biologists

1. Studying European issues
2. Establishing clearing houses for environmentally sound technology

1. Unethical practices of environmentalists
2. Presumptuous management of the environment
3. Natural environment degradation
4. Lack of integrated management of biodiversity
5. Inadequate environmental communication

1. Catalogue of Biodiversity Research Organisations
2. Projects from the Global Initiative
3. A coordinated national strategy for wildlife conservation
4. Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use
5. Making Biodiversity Conservation More Effective
6. International Organizations and Biodiversity
7. Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners
8. Biodiversity Conservation & Management
9. History of the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN)
10. Community initiative for rural development 2000-2006, LEADER +