LIFE managing habitats for birds

The conservation of Europe's birdlife has been an EU policy priority since the 1970s (the Birds Directive was first enacted in 1979, in fact). Since the establishment of the LIFE programme in 1992, which replaced the earlier ACNAT funding mechanism, EU-level support for endangered bird species and their habitats has focused on targeted practical conservation, restoration and management actions in Natura 2000 network sites throughout the Union.
The objective of this publication is to highlight some specific examples of habitat management for birds funded by LIFE. Examples cover a range of different habitats (principally wetlands, grasslands and forests), species and bio-geographical regions across the EU. Given the importance of sites all along the routes of migratory birds, there are also examples of how LIFE co-funding has been used for transnational cooperation projects managing habitats in multiple locations, as well as to track species to wintering spots in Africa and elsewhere in the EU. This will allow the development of a more integrated approach to conservation in future.