„What concerns all of us can only be solved by all of us.“ Friedrich Dürrenmatt

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Dear reader,

I am delighted that you are interested in EuroNatur‘s work – evidence that you are the sort of person who sees the world with open eyes and wants to assume responsibility for the future of Europe’s natural heritage. As a nature conservation foundation, our policy is to pursue prevention before cleanup becomes necessary. Other organizations focus on restoring polluted rivers, soil or air through technical adjustments after the fact. Our approach as conservationists is to try to ensure that the need for such repairs never arises. Habitat reserves and animal sanctuaries, sustainable use, adequate lawmaking and regulatory policy permit long-term preservation of valuable ecological systems with all their biological diversity and intact resources. That is our target, and we tackle it where we can do it best: in Europe, where areas of pristine natural beauty still remain. We have established highly efficient networks working on a number of successful projects, including several pilot projects that could be implemented on an even broader scale. But there is still a lot left to do. We continue making our best efforts to meet the challenge. People like you can help us by becoming part of our network, whether through support in our policy efforts, or by making a donation. This brochure seeks to clarify how we work and how you can support us. Thank you very much for your time. Saving Europe’s natural resources is worth it!

Best regards,

Prof. Dr. Hartmut VogtmannPresident, EuroNatur

EuroNatur‘s commitment has significantly contributed to the ability of the administration of our Nature Park to work on the conservation of the Save floodplains so efficiently. None of the projects has ended in just talk.“ Goran Gugic, director of the Nature Park Lonjsko Polje, Croatia

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EuroNatur – a strong voice for Europe‘s nature

Our job does not end with establishing nature reserves. EuroNatur‘s projects are always long-term, and often international.

EuroNatur‘s projects are not confined to conservation, but may include sustainable development of some rural areas. In the long run, there is no way to protect natural resources without respecting the needs of local populations.

For this purpose, EuroNatur works closely with local partner organisations. Regional development and nature conservation go hand in hand, providing jobs and enhancing quality of life.

EuroNatur advocates the preservation of Europe’s natural heritage in its diversity on many levels, from lobbying to the grassroots.

Read more about the key aspects of our activities on the following pages.

Scientists in Croatia had started studying the behaviour of large carnivores before EuroNatur got involved. But we had practically no knowledge of management strategies, compensation policies for losses by farmers, or the precise risk posed by road construction. Each of these issues was then tackled in cooperation with EuroNatur.“ Prof. Dr. Djuro Huber, veterinarian at Zagreb University, Croatia

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EuroNatur protects wildlife habitats and migration corridors

Project for the protection of bears, wolves and lynx. EuroNatur creates a future for these fascinating predators in Europe, endeavouring to preserve the few wild populations capable of survival. We research the potential to expand wolf, bear and lynx habitat and prepare local populations accordingly. Our conservation efforts include work against poaching and the increasing subdivision of forests and other habitats.

Dynamics means life. One of EuroNatur‘s key tasks is the preservation of coastal and river areas in their natural dynamics. That implies protection projects for waterfowl, shorebirds, monk seals, otters, and the like. Our projects include promoting the designation and monitoring of protected areas and campaigns against illegal fishing and the drainage of wetlands. We map out approaches that align the interests of nature conservation with those of local populations.

Projects for the protection of migratory birds. The flight corridors of migratory birds span the continent, connecting summering grounds in northern Europe with wintering grounds around the Mediterranean Sea and in Africa. EuroNatur protects breeding and wintering areas and provides for intact rest areas along the flight corridors, where the birds encounter adequate food and undisturbed regeneration time. For this reason, another focus of our work is a campaign against fowling, on a European level and especially in the Balkans.

With the ‘Green Belt of Europe’ we will succeed in bringing people in Europe together.“ EuroNatur award laureate Mikhail Gorbachev

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European Green Belt - Line of Life

This project is a prime example of EuroNatur’s approach – imagining and implementing conservation across national borders in the interest of preserving Europe’s common natural heritage. The European Green Belt consists of a line of valuable habitats along the former Iron Curtain that form an ecological corridor from the Barents Sea down to the Black Sea. EuroNatur is the lead advocate of the European Green Belt, a project that could ultimately contribute to preserving peace in Europe.

With the ‘Green Belt of Europe’ we will succeed in bringing people in Europe together.“ EuroNatur award laureate Mikhail Gorbachev

From the Barents Sea down to the Black Sea, the European Green Belt links habitats of extraordinary diversity.

The foundation motivated us to start producing cheese. That‘s why we set up a professional dairy, where we produce cheese from the milk of red cows. EuroNatur carefully combines regional development with nature conservation.“ Teresa und Janusz Sakowicz, cheese producers in Rogowo, Poland

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...is an advocate for Europe‘s nature. On an international level, EuroNatur stands up for conservation policies that benefit both nature and society. Our target is to assure that actions intended to preserve European natural heritage are implemented consistently. For years now, we have cooperated with farmers, politicians, and consumers to achieve a transformation of agricultural policy that would gear it towards a more reasonable economical and ecological focus.

...promotes sustainable rural development. We fill the abstract notion of „sustainable development“ with life, demonstrating in our pilot projects how conservation can protect nature and allow people to profit from it directly through increased employment and improved quality of life. That is the only way to gain the support of local populations in the long term, to convince decision makers, and ultimately to preserve the European natural heritage for future generations.

...establishes ecological networks. EuroNatur not only connects people and nature, but also people among themselves. We continually work on building and refining a network that can safeguard Europe‘s natural world. We support local environmental protection organizations, promoting their cooperation. We bring scientists, conservationists, farmers, politicians and businesspeople from neighbouring countries together. We also support the next generation of nature conservationists as they gain knowledge in numerous projects.

EuroNatur...

Connecting People and Nature

All the brilliant ornithologists who participated in the project renounced their honoraria so that our first office could be equipped with computers, copier and technical literature donated by EuroNatur. That was the most happy kick-off for a new era in the history of DOPPS-BirdLife.“ Damijan Denac, president of DOPPS-BirdLife, Slovenia - Slovenian bird protection association

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EuroNatur stands out

Small core, large network: EuroNatur is a non-profit charitable foundation with a small, tightly organized, highly competent professional team. Nature conservation associations, scientists and their research teams, volunteers, and public sector representatives are part of its extended network. Donations are thus not swallowed by administrative machinery, but go directly to benefit Europe‘s nature.

Conservation work that deserves your confidence: EuroNatur was one of the first organizations to receive the DZI seal of approval. The German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) certifies an organization’s transparent and economical use of funds, legitimate methods of fund raising, and appropriate administration costs.

EuroNatur can take pride in its achievements: Since its foundation in 1987, and with funds of more than € 40 million, EuroNatur has achieved substantial progress in nature conservation and has significantly contributed to the establishment of large biological reserves in over 15 European countries.

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Back us in your own personal way – your support can make all the difference!

Become a EuroNatur sponsor for a bear, wolf or lynx, for migratory birds or a monk seal or become a EuroNatur sustaining member through periodic donations. Your contributions give us security in planning middle and long-term projects and are thus of particular importance for our work.

Or just support us with a one-time donation via direct debit or online.

Interested? Contact us, and we will be pleased to inform you.

EuroNatur (European Nature Heritage Fund)Konstanzer Str. 2278315 RadolfzellGermany

Fon +49 (0)7732 / 92 72 0Fax +49 (0)7732 / 92 72 22info@euronatur.orgwww.euronatur.org

Donations Account DetailsEuroNatur FoundationBank für Sozialwirtschaft, KölnBank Code: 370 205 00Donations Account No.: 8182005

IBAN: DE42 3702 0500 0008 1820 05SWIFT / BIC: BFSWDE33

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