The main aim of the project is to create a sustainable network for the management of Natura 2000 sites in military areas in Poland, in cooperation between military and civilian institutions with an impact on the protection of Natura 2000 sites.

We plan to update the data on natural habitats and species of plants and animals for the protection of which Natura 2000 sites have been designated in military areas, improve the system of data acquisition and management, improve the methods of protecting habitats and species and, in general, improve the nature conservation management procedures in these areas.

The creation and implementation of a comprehensive support system for the managers of Natura 2000 sites in military areas in Poland is extremely necessary. Improving the skills and competences of people involved in nature conservation and environmental protection in these areas is of key importance for the effectiveness of the implementation of the plans of conservation tasks, and thus for the maintenance or improvement of the conservation status of natural habitats and species for which these areas were established.

A very important objective of the project is also to support the cooperation of various public administration bodies in the process of planning the protection of Natura 2000 areas, as well as the implementation of protective measures. The specificity of military areas requires the development of separate procedures for access to these areas, nature inventory, monitoring, as well as public access to environmental information. The project will improve both the management of nature conservation at the level of individual Natura 2000 areas in Poland, and at the regional level - through efficient cooperation between Regional Boards of Infrastructure, Regional Directorates of Environmental Protection and Regional Directorates of State Forests and other institutions and organisations.

Another very important element of the project is the improvement of cooperation and information flow between central institutions - the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the General Directorate of Environmental Protection. The project will also enable institutions responsible for the management of protected areas on military land in Poland to join common activities at the European level, through the exchange of experience between users of similar sites in other EU countries.

SUMMARY

The main objectives of the project are:

• Strengthening the capacity of the staff of the Regional Boards of Infrastructur in the field of nature conservation and environmental protection (series of training courses and workshops).
• Strengthening cooperation between military and civilian services in the management of Natura 2000 sites.
• Support for the Natura 2000 site management system (integration of the Natura 2000 sites module into military information systems).
• Institutional support for military site managers.
• Collection and updating of data for Natura 2000 sites in military area and mapping of natural habitats.
• Monitoring of the conservation status of natural habitats and habitats of species for the protection of which Natura 2000 sites have been designated in military areas.
• Exchange of experience in nature conservation between the Ministry of National Defence, civilian nature conservation services and foreign institutions managing Natura 2000 sites in military areas.
• Information campaign on nature conservation in military areas.
• Establishment of a training and information centre.

The expected sustainable effects of the projects are:

- creation of a permanent training and consultation system for Natura 2000 site managers on military sites (implemented through the establishment of a training and information centre);

- creation of a permanent partnership for nature conservation in military areas at international, national and regional level;

- improvement of the system of creating plans of conservation tasks for Natura 2000 areas on military areas, as well as their implementation, which in the long run will positively influence the condition of natural habitats and habitats of species, for the protection of which these areas were created;

- increasing the competence of services dealing with nature conservation and environmental protection in military areas (concerns 10 Regional Boards of Infrastructure);

- increasing the role of the military in nature conservation activities and implementation of EU Directives and Natura 2000 network and in environmental protection in Poland in general.

As a direct result of the project, 250 employees involved in the management of Natura 2000 sites in military areas in Poland will be comprehensively trained, and a further 500 professionals involved in these areas will attend the project workshops.

The project will also disseminate a range of information materials - a conservation handbook, videos, reports, articles.