The project aims to achieve a significant change of the attitude and public awareness on the NATURA 2000 network, using flagship, easily identifiable species from the EU Directives on Birds and Habitats.
NATURA 2000 is the main instrument of the EU for protecting the biodiversity of the member states, yet currently there is a significant negative attitude against the network in Bulgaria. This is mainly due to large-scale information campaigns run by representatives of business with interests in construction or damaging resources within the protected areas and are directly interested in undermining the public opinion regarding the NATURA 2000 network. The dissemination of biased and misleading information has lead to prejudice, fear and hostility in the general public regarding the network.
A great deal of the NATURA 2000 species, subject to conservation are affected by a number of threats, such as destruction of habitats, direct persecution, illegal use of poisons, disturbance, illegal trade, etc. All of which result from the lack of awareness and acknowledgment of their conservation significance and the need for their protection. This practically makes the very establishment and functioning of the NATURA 2000 network redundant and impedes achieving the conservation objectives of the EU Directives on Birds and Habitats.
Introducing people to the importance of flagship species, key for the NATURA 2000 network and the need for their conservation would lead to an overall shift in the behavior concerning these species. Overcoming negative factors and the related negative activities (such as habitat destruction, use of poison, illegal traffic, etc.) will have an overall positive impact on the conservation of the species throughout the NATURA 2000 network. Furthermore, the implementation of a wide national campaign will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in general.
NATURA 2000 is the main instrument of the EU for protecting the biodiversity of the member states, yet currently there is a significant negative attitude against the network in Bulgaria. This is mainly due to large-scale information campaigns run by representatives of business with interests in construction or damaging resources within the protected areas and are directly interested in undermining the public opinion regarding the NATURA 2000 network. The dissemination of biased and misleading information has lead to prejudice, fear and hostility in the general public regarding the network.
A great deal of the NATURA 2000 species, subject to conservation are affected by a number of threats, such as destruction of habitats, direct persecution, illegal use of poisons, disturbance, illegal trade, etc. All of which result from the lack of awareness and acknowledgment of their conservation significance and the need for their protection. This practically makes the very establishment and functioning of the NATURA 2000 network redundant and impedes achieving the conservation objectives of the EU Directives on Birds and Habitats.
Introducing people to the importance of flagship species, key for the NATURA 2000 network and the need for their conservation would lead to an overall shift in the behavior concerning these species. Overcoming negative factors and the related negative activities (such as habitat destruction, use of poison, illegal traffic, etc.) will have an overall positive impact on the conservation of the species throughout the NATURA 2000 network. Furthermore, the implementation of a wide national campaign will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in general.
