Natura 2000 Management

We offer specialised content and training for professionals responsible for managing Natura 2000 sites.

The Europe-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas is established under the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive) and the Birds Directive (VSRL), and aims to preserve Europe’s most endangered plant species, animal species and critical habitats. Its primary goal is to address the continuous decline of wildlife and (semi-natural) habitats throughout Europe. However, managing endangered species and habitats is a highly complex task that not only requires expertise in ecology, but also a solid understanding of agricultural and forestry practices, along with communication skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders. Currently, there is no comprehensive training program in nature conservation that covers the entire interdisciplinary range of knowledge necessary for managing Natura 2000 sites, even as the demand for trained specialists grows throughout Germany.

In 2016, a specialist study conducted as part of the EU Commission’s Fitness Check concluded that the directives are crucial for EU’s nature conservation policies but highlighted the need for better implementation. To support more effective management, the 'Natura 2000 Manager' website provides free accessible information for those pursuing a profession as “Natura 2000 Managers” and provides details about the advanced e-learning course, which requires registration. 

Open Access Content to Natura 2000 

The website offers freely accessible information in the form of introductions to all the key topics essential for protecting Natura 2000 sites and conserving endangered species of the Habitat and Birds Directives. It addresses important challenges that arise in relation to Natura 2000, serving as a tool to optimize the implementation of Natura 2000 objectives. The website is part of the project ‚e-learning course "Natura 2000 management"’ and informs about the annual course.

 

The "Natura 2000 Manager“ Course

The "Natura-2000-Manager" e-learning course provides comprehensive information on – among others - Natura 2000, the corresponding habitat- and bird-directive, basics of the ecology, and the management of protected species and habitats and crucial knowledge about forestry, agriculture and restoration ecology. As part of the project "e-learning course "Natura 2000 manager" – In-service training for the Implementation of Natura 2000", a course was developed offering in-depth teaching modules on various aspects of Natura 2000, which can be accessed through a registration-only portal on Moodle. Participants who complete the course will take an exam and receive a certificate. 

The project was funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) and the Thüringer Ministry for Environment, Energy, and Nature Conservation (TMUEN), and took place from July 2021 to July 2024. The course which started in November 2024 was the first exclusively financed by fees of the participants. The course is conducted by BUND Thüringen in collaboration with NABU Thüringen, the German Association for Landscape Conservation, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Brunzel of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt and usually lasts from November to June. The course is taught by a team of specialists, and an Expert board ensures the high quality of the content. 

Registration usually opens on the website in June of each year.

Registration for the Course in German

The registration period for the 2024-2025 course has been closed since July 22, 2024, and all spots are filled.

Registrations for the 2025-2026 course will be available on the website in early summer 2025. The exact registration period will be announced here next year. The 2025-2026 course will begin in November 2025 and end in June 2026. 

If you have further questions, please contact the project coordinator: Katinka Sauer | k.sauer(at)natura2000-thueringen.de | +49 361 644 170 72

We would be happy to add you to our mailing list. This will allow you to receive annual notifications about the start of the registration period. To be added to the list, please send an email to k.sauer(at)natura2000-thueringen.de.

Sources:

European Commission (2016): Fitness Check of the EU Nature Legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives), online: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/docs/nature_fitness_check.pdf (retrieved: 08.2022)

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, online: https://www.bfn.de/effizienz-und-wirksamkeit (retrieved: 08.2022)