Annual Report 2018 EuroNatur Foundation

Mission & mode of operation
Photo: Gunter Willinger - Biala Reka / Bulgaria
EuroNatur – Connecting nature and people
We are committed to connecting nature and
people in a peaceful Europe – beyond national
borders. Our donors support us in this endeavour.
The growth-oriented way we lead our lives
and run our economies at this point in history is
characterized by ruthless exploitation of natural
resources and has resulted in the pervasive
destruction of nature as well as in drastic
climate change. People all around the world
are feeling the resultant adverse effects.
Nature is the natural resource base on which
all humans depend. Species and habitat diversity
are prerequisites of a quality environment.
Our aim is a European continent that
hosts free-flowing rivers, pristine forests and
diverse cultural landscapes and that offers
sufficient space for wild animals and migrating
birds within these and other ecosystems.
Our mode of operation
Our efforts for the protection of plants, animals and habitats
are transboundary in nature; we strengthen local
conservation organizations and create international networks
between them. Together with our Europe-wide partner
network we create solutions that allow humans to live and
work in harmony with nature. In our work we follow a
well-proven approach:
knowing
Using reputable scientific studies, we provide evidence of
the conservation importance and uniqueness of species,
landscapes and habitats and of the threats they face.
protecting
We work on driving forward the formal protection of
endangered species as well as of habitats and landscapes
of particular high ecological value. To this end we utilize
national and international political structures.
safeguarding
Protected areas and species must be given sustained
effective protection. We support control measures and
make our demands for rigorous protection measures heard
in national and international political institutions as well
as in the courts. Where necessary, we exert public pressure
on decision-makers (for example by way of protests and
media attention).
living
We generate acceptance of the need for protection and
potentially associated restrictions for the local communities.
Together with the local people we establish ecologically
compatible land-use methods in protected habitats
that open up socio-economic prospects. This helps us to
win over local people as partners for achieving our conservation
objectives, thus laying the groundwork for the
long-term effectiveness of our efforts.
20
Annual Report 2018 4