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EU awards exemplary projects protecting nature across Europe

Xinhua, May 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

The 2016 European Natura 2000 Awards were handed out to environmental projects from Bulgaria, Latvia, Spain, Britain, and cross-border projects from Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland and Norway, according to a European Commission press release on Tuesday.

The annual Natura 2000 Awards recognize conservation achievements and raise awareness about initiatives that protect nature across Europe.

"I am once again honored to recognize the fantastic work undertaken by the winners and all of the finalists in preserving our common natural heritage. These initiatives have gone a long way towards ensuring that nature's benefits keep flowing for many years to come," said European Commissioner Karmenu Vella for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries when announcing the winners at a ceremony in Brussels on Monday.

The European citizens' award went to the Spanish conservation initiative to save the endangered Iberian lynx. Britain won the conservation award for an initiative on blanket bog restoration in Dove Stone. A Bulgarian project protecting nature and boosting sustainable rural development was awarded the socio-economic benefits award.

Moreover, the communication award went to Latvia's "Nature Concerthall" project for the country's efforts to improve public knowledge about nature and biodiversity in an innovative and artistic way. The reconciling interests/perception award was handed out to a joint Belgian-French project which protected biodiversity under high-tension lines. Meanwhile, efforts by 15 countries to protect the Lesser White-fronted Goose, Europe's rarest water bird, won the cross-border cooperation and networking award.

Natura 2000 is a network of over 27,000 protected sites that covers 18 percent of EU land and more than five percent of its marine areas. The aim of the network is to protect and enhance Europe's natural heritage, ensuring the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species, according to the Commission. Endit