Date: Sunday, 21 May 2017
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Locations: Għadira – Is-Simar – Il-Majjistral Visitor Centre
On Sunday 21st May 2017, at BirdLife Malta’s nature reserves and Il-Majjistral Park, we are going to be celebrating a day of outstanding achievements for our Natura…
To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Habitats Directive and of the LIFE Programme, the European Commission together with the European Parliament, the Council Presidency and the Committee of the Regions declared 21st May as “European Natura 2000 Day”. The declaration was signed at a special event at the European Commission premises in Brussels on 15th May 2017.
It was the 21st of May 1992 when two successful European measures were approved for the preservation of our unique natural heritage, the LIFE Programme and of the Habitats Directive. The Habitats Directive created Natura 2000 – the heart of EU nature policy – a network of protected areas which also includes the sites designated under the Birds Directive (approved in 1979). This makes up 18% of the EU’s land area and almost 6% of its marine territory, consisting of more than 27,000 sites across Europe, and more than 30 in Malta!
Despite its long history of supporting our precious enviornment and its ecological, social and economic importance, the Natura 2000 and LIFE Projects are only known by a small number of citizens so we want to raise awareness and celebrate all of this amazing work!
This is a free event for adults, youths, children and families.
Every donation will help to sustain reserves and vital enviornmental actions!
The reserves will be open to the public.
Booking is suggested for the morning seminar at Il-Majjistral Park. Please email: [email protected]
Come and find out more!
- 10:00 – 16:00
Għadira Nature Reserve
ERA Info Stand – Environment and Resources Authority
25 years of EU supporting Nature – 1.00-2.00 pm – Presentation by BirdLife Malta
Environmental education for kids – Activities and games by BirdLife Malta
- 10:00 – 12.30
Il-Majjistral Park Visitor Centre
BirdLife Malta and ERA Info Stands
Discover Natura 2000 – Morning seminar
10:10 Introduction
10:10 Overview of the Natura 2000 network in Malta by Christopher Cousin from ERA
10:35 Għadira, Is-Simar and Salina presented by Raymond Vella from BirdLife Malta
11:00 Il-Majjistral Park presented by Darren Saliba
11:25 Coffee Break
11:45 LIFE Arċipelagu Garnija project, by Martin Austad from BirdLife Malta
12:10 Għar Dalam, by John Joseph Borg from the National Museum of Natural History
- 10:00 – 16:00
Is-Simar Nature Reserve
25 years of EU supporting Nature – Presentation by BirdLife Malta experts
Environmental education for kids – Activities and games by BirdLife Malta
Ride-sharing…!
Care about the environment and meet new friends.
We want to encourage all to offer a lift to those interested.
Please, post on the Facebook page discussion section:
– Pick-up point + final destination
– Number of people you can take in your car
– How they can contact you
Useful links
- European Natura 2000 Day announcement on 15th May in Brussels
- Official joint declaration proclaiming 21st May as the European Natura 2000 Day
- European Natura 2000 Day declaration by European Commissioner Karmenu Vella
- Natura 2000 Day
- The European Union’s environmental LIFE programme
- EU Natura 2000 Day events
- Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world
- Natura 2000 Day video by BirdLife Spain
- Natura 2000 – for nature and for people