The LIFE project Smart Natura, which is now coming to a close, aimed to identify cost-effective methods for reaching the goals of Natura 2000 plans. In particular, the project aimed to develop and disseminate methods and tools for ensuring that voluntary agreements between individual municipalities and landowners are fully implemented.

There were two phases to the Smart Natura project. The initial pilot phase involved two Natura 2000 areas in Denmark. This phase of the project aimed to develop methods and tools based on experiences learned from implementing Natura 2000 plans in the pilot areas. The second phase of the project aimed to disseminate these methods and tools to other Natura 2000 areas.

As part of this second phase, the project has produced several handbooks, reports and case studies, including a Natura 2000 Handbook on landowner dialogue and cooperation, the Layman’s Report ‘Know your role and responsibilities in a nature project – Landowners, graziers, municipality & adviser’, and an Inspiration Catalogue of successful nature projects.

For more information about the project and its outcomes, visit the Smart Natura website.