The best in Europe – Natura 2000 sites

Natura 2000 sites are the cornerstone of the European Union’s efforts to stop the loss of wildlife and habitats. They were a response to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

They are the most important sites for wildlife right across the Union, from Arctic tundra to the Mediterranean. There are two types of Natura 2000 sites:

Special Protection Areas '(SPAs)', which are designated because of rare or migratory birds and their habitats.
Special Areas of Conservation '(SACs)', for a wide range of habitats and species other than birds.

How are they chosen?

By the governments of the European Union, according to two separate EU Directives which apply to all member states.

What are Special Protection Areas?

These have been designated specifically to conserve wild birds that are listed as rare and vulnerable in an Annex to the Birds Directive, which came into force in 1979. They also include migratory birds which use sites in Wales as stop-off points on their journeys across the planet.

The rare birds include well-known species like red kite, merlin, osprey, golden plover and kingfisher.

How are they protected?

All terrestrial land within SPAs is underpinned by SSSI which is designated under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Where are they?

There are 20 SPAs in Wales

What are Special Areas of Conservation?

They have been chosen to make a significant contribution to conserving 189 different land types or habitats and 788 wildlife species that live there. These are all named in Annexes to the EC Habitats Directive and are considered to be the most in need of conservation throughout the European Union.

Marine SACs are also being developed to protect marine habitats and species, including otter, shad, lamprey, grey and common seal, harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin.