News
2016-05-21
Natura 2000 day and LIFE Elia-RTE
May 21st is the Natura 2000 network European day. For this occasion, our team organized a special day for the staff of business manager of Elia, the Belgian electricity transmission system operator.
The Natura 2000 network
To halt the erosion of biodiversity, two European directives have been adopted by the European Commission. They require that Member States take part in the conservation of a range of species (birds, insects, mammals...) and natural habitats (forest types, types of grasslands, wetlands ...). Each Member State is therefore responsible to transpose these directives into national law.
In total, approximately 27,000 Natura 2000 sites have been designated in Europe, covering a total area of 1,100,000 ha of terrestrial and marine areas ... or 36 times the size of Belgium!
In the Walloon region, 240 sites cover 13% of the territory, or 221,000 ha.
The LIFE program, to boost biodiversity
The LIFE program was set up by the European Commission to assist Member States to go further than just conservation of species and habitats : it aims to actively promote them through restoration measures and specific actions.
The European Commission finances projects throughout Europe, via the LIFE+ program. An unique tool for Nature, whose LIFE Elia-RTE is an example.
The LIFE Elia-RTE and the Natura 2000 network
Forest corridors traversed by power lines that are the work areas of the LIFE Elia, through 31 Natura 2000 sites in the Walloon Region, and 4 Natura 2000 sites in France.
One of Walloon sites is the site BE33012 - Tributaries of the Meuse between Huy and Flémalle. It includes part of Préhistomuséum in Ramioul hosting its famous cave.
A day for Elia' staff
On the occasion, a special day Natura 2000 - LIFE Elia-RTE was organized in the Préhistomuseum. A total of 45 participants (families of Elia staff) have discovered how Elia is committed, through the LIFE Elia-RTE project, to enhance biodiversity under the power lines and thus for connectivity between sites Natura 2000 in Wallonia.
Grid and nature network
The grid has a real role to play in strengthening the ecological network. Improving connectivity between areas of high biodiversity, high-voltage lines are a real potential for the conservation of nature. A concept that Elia has clearly understood !