Protected Spaces — Natura 2000 Perimeter — Dunkirk Urban Community

The European Natura 2000 network is a fundamental tool of European biodiversity conservation policy, Natura 2000 sites aim to better take biodiversity issues into account in human activities. These sites are designated to protect a number of habitats and species representative of European biodiversity. The precise list of these habitats and species is annexed to the European Birds Directive and to the European Habitats-Fund-flora Directive. In Europe, the network represents 27,522 sites and covers 18 % of the land and 6 % of the exclusive economic zone. As of 1 March 2017, France has 1,766 sites, covering almost 13 % of the metropolitan land territory and 11 % of the exclusive metropolitan economic zone. The Natura 2000 network focuses on the collective search for a balanced and sustainable management of spaces that takes account of economic and social concerns: human activities and infrastructure projects are possible at Natura 2000 sites. In order to avoid activities detrimental to biodiversity, projects that may have an impact on protected species and habitats must be subject to prior assessment; on a daily basis, the management of Natura 2000 sites is a participatory approach by local stakeholders. A steering committee defines conservation objectives and management measures for each site, which are then implemented in the form of charters and contracts co-financed by the European Union.