Operational Programme for the Management of Natura 2000 Sites in Slovenia 2014–2020

Detailed presentation of the project

The aim of the project was to secure the adoption of the Natura 2000 management programme by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the new financial period 2014–2020. The programme was developed as part of a project funded by a grant from the LIFE+ financial mechanism of the European Community. The lead partner of the project was the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (MOP), whilst the following organisations participated as partners: the Slovenian Water Institute (IzVRS), the Slovenian Nature Conservation Institute (ZRSVN), the Slovenian Fisheries Institute (ZZRS), the Slovenian Forestry Institute (ZGS) and the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (KGZS). There are currently 354 Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, of which 323 have been designated under the Habitats Directive and 31 under the Birds Directive. Within the Natura 2000 sites, we protect 236 plant and animal species and 60 habitat types. The sites largely overlap, as more than half of the areas proposed under the Habitats Directive fall within the proposed Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive.

For each species and habitat type across all Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, we have defined the values of detailed conservation objectives and the detailed conservation objectives themselves as part of the preparation of PUN2000. Through these detailed conservation target values, we have defined the key requirements that must be met for species and habitat types to be in a favourable conservation status. Based on the current status in the wild, we have assigned a specific conservation objective to each value of the detailed conservation objectives, which determines whether the value of the detailed conservation objective needs to be improved, maintained or restored. All this is aimed at maintaining or restoring species and habitat types to a favourable conservation status. We have designated the responsible sectors and implementing bodies for the implementation of the conservation objectives. For certain species and habitat types, we have also prescribed specific sectoral measures.