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EU Extends
Nature Habitat Under Natura 2000 Network

April
28,
2008 - More great news this month for the Earth's
wildlife and habitat! The European Commission has
extended the Natura 2000 network of protected natural
areas in central and eastern Europe, including farming
area in Mala Fatra and sections of the Carpathian
Mountains (important bird habitats), amounting to a land
mass two-thirds the size of The Netherlands.
Overall,
an additional 38,000 kilometers of protected lands has
been added to the Natura 2000 network, which now
protects 20% of the European continent and 100 billion
kilometers of ocean. Stemming from European Union talks
in 1992, Natura 2000 serves as an instrument to stop
wildlife and habitat losses until the year 2010. It also
serves as part of the EU's obligations to the United
Nation Convention on Biological Diversity.
Now being
extended to the EU's newest member States, Natura 2000
is even expanding to non-EU countries like Turkey, where
attempts are being made to become a part of the European
Union. Countries with newly protected wildlife and
habitat areas include Slovenia, Malta, Spain, France,
Sweden, Finland, Austria and Cyprus.
Understandably excited about the news was the World
Wildlife Federation (WWF), which has been working hard
for many years to help introduce Natura 2000 to new EU
member countries. Not only has the WWF been instrumental
in designating important habitats to fall under an
expanded Natura 2000, WWF has been helping to make such
protection possible.The conservation approach taken by
WWF and the European Union is a model which the world
should take note of. Please visit the World Wildlife
Federation for more information.
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