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 German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) and the Thuringian Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Nature Conservation (TMUEN) from July 2021 to July 2024. It was implemented by BUND Thuringia in collaboration with its partners NABU Thuringia, the German Association for Landscape Conservation, and the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, as well as by a large number of instructors. These specialists, along with an Expert Board composed of high-caliber experts, ensure the course’s high quality. Since the summer of 2024, the course has continued without project funding. A course is held each year from October/November through June. Registration opens on the website each (early) summer.

Registration for the course in German   The registration period for the 2026–2027 program closed on June 17, 2026. The registration period for the 2027–2028 program will begin in May 2027. The exact registration dates will be announced here in the spring of 2027. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the project coordinator, Maximilian Lenerz. m.lenerz(at)natura2000-thueringen.de | +49 (0)361 644 170 72 Stay up to date: Would you like to be automatically notified when the registration period begins? If so, please sign up for our mailing list. To do so, send a short message to: m.lenerz(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)