index

BLOCK
03 the debate
STRENGTHS
A new tool of land management. If well implemented (with its management
plans, involving all the stakeholders, guaranteeing a minimum funding,
etc.) the Natura 2000 Network can be a new tool of land management at
a local level.
Natural asset and economic wealth. The Natura 2000 Network sites are
a unique source of biodiversity that, if correctly managed, can be at the
same time an exceptional source of economic wealth that respects environmental
sustainability.
A large and diverse network that covers a third of the country´s territory.
The Natura 2000 Network takes up practically 30 per cent of the territory.
So it becomes inevitable to manage the territory taking into account that a
very significant part of it is included in the network as well to plan land use
bearing in mind its environmental value.
Directly related to many people. Although in principle the Network has
been established in those territories with lowest population density, as it
covers 30 per cent of the territory, it affects a significant amount of population
directly. This means an important challenge in terms of communication
efficiency on the part of environmental journalists.
Benefits for the environment. Without being a supermotivating factor
among the general public, it is obvious that the Network comes with the
warranty of very rigorous scientific and technical work behind. That work
lends visibility to potential environmental services associated to the continuity
of the Network.
Benefits for the people. The services rendered by a well maintained environment
like that of the Natura 2000 Network sites, in the long term, mean
benefits for the people as regards health, contact with nature, employment
opportunities and economic sustainability, among others. In this sense,
there is a clear communication challenge: that of quantifying and researching
the real impact of all these benefits on people.
An emotional factor. The Natura 2000 Network can connect very well with
people. It appeals to the emotional side of audiences - the one that may
eventually lead them to a change of attitude. Although it seems less tangible,
this could be a dimension of the Network worth exploiting to communication
and news generation purposes.
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Natura 2000 Network. Handbook for journalists