Natura 2000 award recognises achievements of two RSPB landscape-scale conservation projects.
Kimberley Pearson, RSPB's Landscape-scale Conservation Officer, introduces two of our projects that are up for an award. We're really proud of what we are achieving in both projects and hope that you can add your support.
It’s a fair bet that the name Natura 2000 may not be familiar to you. But I’m sure many of the sites that this protected area network covers will be. From the rugged Exmoor Heaths, to the iconic North Norfolk Coast, the lofty heights of Ben Nevis and the rolling Antrim Hills, the Natura 2000 network is a life-support system for some of our most precious species and habitats. The network is made up of more than 27,000 terrestrial and marine sites across the European Union making this the largest protected area network in the world.
Together with our partners, we’ve been working hard to protect, enhance and restore many of our Natura 2000 sites here in the UK and we are delighted that two of our projects, RSPB Futurescapes and RSPB Dove Stone have been shortlisted for this years Natura 2000 award. The award recognises the outstanding contribution in management and conservation that both of these projects have provided over the last few years.
You’ve got a chance to offer your support to our projects – here's the link.. If you would like a little more background – read on!
A dunlin singing - just one species to benefit from the restoration work at Dove Stone. Photo credit Tim Melling
RSPB Dove Stone, our nature reserve partnership with the landowner United Utilities in the Peak District National Park, has been shortlisted for its ambitious conservation work. This landscape-scale project is improving biodiversity, water quality and carbon stewardship and across more than 2,500 hectares of internationally rare blanket bog habitat.
Restoration began in 2008 by starting to re-vegetate bare peat. Since 2010 we’ve been able to raise the water table and introduce vital peat building sphagnum mosses, a lot of this work has been accomplished by local volunteers. Results already show that three key bird species, curlew, dunlin and golden plover have all benefited from this restoration and their numbers are on the up.
Inner Forth Schools Project for Futurescapes. Photo credit Jo Dempster RSPB
The RSPB Futurescapes programme, our landscape-scale conservation programme covering the UK, has been shortlisted for its innovative partnership working and cross-boarder cooperation. Since 2011 this unique programme has formed more than 144 partnerships and influenced 134 UK Natura 2000 sites. From direct conservation actions, to school and community education projects, the programme aims to bring together stakeholders and communities to run projects that restore, improve and connect habitats within some of our most iconic landscapes. From the South Downs to the Cairngorms, Futurescapes aims to contribute to a UK-wide ecological network that gives nature a home throughout our landscapes.
Both our projects are now entered into the European Citizen award that is open to a public vote from now until 8th May 2016. The winner of this vote will receive the 2016 European citizen’s award.
To support and vote for our projects in the European Citizen award, and to find out more about Natura 2000 please visit Natura2000 award 2016.