EU viert twintigste verjaardag habitatrichtlijn (en)

On Monday 21 May 2012, The Danish Ministry of the Environment, the city of Aalborg and the European Commission host the 20-year anniversary of one of Europe’s key pieces of nature legislation, the Habitats Directive, and of LIFE, the EU funding instrument for the Environment in the raised bog habitat of Lille Vildmose.

Since 1992 the European Union Habitats Directive has had significant impact on Danish and European politics concerning nature, vastly increasing protection around the union, in particular by creating the Natura 2000 network of conservation areas. In the same period, the LIFE programme has provided substantial support to nature projects all over Europe. On Monday 21 May 2012, the two EU initiatives celebrate their 20-year anniversary.

To recognize this, an event will be held on the occasion of the Danish EU presidency in the raised bog habitat of Lille Vildmose, southeast of Aalborg, Denmark. Lille Vildmose is a key Natura 2000 habitat and was recently granted support for a large-scale nature restoration project through the LIFE programme. This project is launched on Monday 21 May 2012 as well.

The festivities will be attended by Minister for the Environment Ida Auken, EU Commissioner for Environment Janez Potočnik i and the mayor of the city of Aalborg, Henning G. Jensen. In addition to local players working to preserve Lille Vildmose, Danish and European nature leaders as well as members of The Environment Committee of the Danish Parliament and key NGOs have been invited to the event.

The event is facilitated by the European Commission, the Danish Ministry of the Environment, and the city of Aalborg. It will be supported locally by Aage V. Jensens Fond and Lille Vildmosecentret.

Media sign-up

The media are more than welcome to attend the 20-year anniversary for the EU Habitats Directive and the LIFE programme in Lille Vildmose. The event will provide an opportunity for photos and interviews with Minister for the Environment Ida Auken, EU Commissioner for Environment Janez Potočnik and the mayor of the city of Aalborg, Henning G. Jensen.

The event will be held at Lille Vildmosecentret, Birkesøvej 16, Dokkedal, DK-9280 Storvorde. The activities will begin at 12:00 pm and are expected to be wrapped up at 5:30 pm.

Please sign up for the event by contacting Anne Reinholdt, European Commission contact point for this event, on (+45) 27 15 70 67 or by e-mail ar@mannov.dk