Budapest, Hungary, 19-21 April 2016
Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the major threats to Europe’s biodiversity. Tackling the problem of IAS has been and remains a huge challenge for nature conservation sector and protected area management bodies. In order to support these efforts, the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate and WWF Hungary will organise an international workshop on best practices in invasive plant management within Natura 2000 sites and protected areas.

Several LIFE projects and other initiatives have been targeting the issue of IAS, generating an ever growing pool of first-hand experience, lessons learnt and best practices. The legislative background on both European and Member State levels has recently been evolving for a better support to tackle this serious problem. In parallel, new efforts in communication, awareness raising and stakeholder engagement are made. Keynote speakers will include some of the leading researchers and responsible public officials in these areas.

The goal of the workshop is to collect, exchange and discuss working experiences from different countries in order to foster capitalization of lessons learnt and to support active IAS management in nature conservation. The Workshop aims to be an interactive meeting and to serve as a vivid platform that encourages exchange of opinions amongst professionals of different countries and sectors. The event will contribute to the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process, as well.

Participation is free of charge for maximum one participant per organisation and for all presenters (both paper and poster authors). Should there be more participants per organisation cost-based registration fees apply. In case of a request for exception, decision will be made on a case by case basis about providing more free-of-charge places.

The event will contribute to the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process, with the support of the European Commission, CEEweb for Biodiversity and our member ECNC.

Photo: Amorpha fruticosa, by Dr. Nick V. Kurzenko