The Awards recognise conservation achievements and raise awareness about initiatives across the EU. This year, a new category – the European Citizens’ Award – gave the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist.
The project Natura 2000 Day in Spain won with over 4 200 votes. "It’s clear that citizens understand the value of protecting our precious protected areas – I was delighted to see that almost 25 000 people voted for the inaugural Citizens' Award this year”, said the Commissioner. Winning projects in other categories include Denmark's Blue Reef Project, Germany's Biodiversity meets communities project, Spain's Bear conservation project, France's Vultures Project and DANUBEPARKS, a trans-boundary project with nine Danube countries.
Natura 2000 is a network over 27 000 protected sites, protecting Europe’s natural heritage and contributing to 4.4 million jobs.
More information available here.
