WWF

Natura 2000 is a network of valuable nature areas that is being built up within the EU. Natura 2000 started in the EU in order to slow down the extinction of animal and plant species and to prevent the destruction of their habitats. The goal is to conserve habitats and species that are of common interest within the EU. Every member state is responsible for protecting and managing their areas so that their habitats will be conserved.
In Sweden, close to 4000 sites have been selected to be part of the Natura 2000 network. Approximately 60% of these sites are already protected within the Swedish protected area system as a nature reserve or national park, for example.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for co-ordinating the work of developing the Natura 2000 network in Sweden.

The County Administrative Boards are the public authorities that do most of the implementation work. The National Forestry Board and the municipalities are other important authorities involved in this work. Natura 2000 affects many landowners, foresters, birdwatchers, fishers, the Swedish Road Administration, and other agencies. They are all important parties in the Natura 2000 work. However, the most important parties are the landowners and resource users.

Every individual Natura 2000 site will have its own conservation plan. This will include a detailed description of what will be protected, how, and when this will happen. The County Administrative Boards are responsible for producing this plan and do this in collaboration with landowners, affected stakeholders and agencies. This work should be completed by August 2005.

Any activity that can significantly affect the environment within a Natura 2000 site requires permission from the County Administrative Board, even if it is the government who wants to do it.