EU LIFEnews

LIFEnews - July/August

The latest news from the EU LIFE Programme

Feature LIFE provides innovation support to help 'green' Europe's farm grasslands Farmers remain some of the most important stakeholders in implementing nature conservation actions and LIFE projects are continuing to demonstrate new ways that show how agriculture can find feasible solutions to wildlife challenges in key habitats like grasslands. LIFE was allocated €3.2 billion in the European Commission's recent proposal for a new financial framework (that set outs how EU's activities could be funded from 2014 to 2020), which amongst others emphasises a complementary approach between the different financial instruments. Read more >>

Project results Catalysing long-term conservation support for Slovenia's corncrakes A new agri-environment scheme formed one of the integrated rural development outcomes from a LIFE project in Slovenia which set up support systems to safeguard grassland habitats and demonstrates how farming and nature conservation can work well together to achieve joint goals. Traditional agricultural practices in Slovenia have contributed to the country holding one of the highest EU ratings on the UNEP WCMC biodiversity index. More than 250 species and over 40 of Slovenia's habitat types are noted as being important at European level. Read more >>   Great bustards benefit from 'safe fly zones' over Austrian grasslands LIFE involvement with conserving grassland birds is not limited only to working with land owners and other socioeconomic stakeholders can also be vital partners in habitat restoration projects, like the owners of overhead power lines that span breeding grounds for great bustards in Austria. Similar in status to the corncrake, the great bustard (Otis tarda) is an iconic bird for many EU conservationists. Its reputation can be attributed to a number of factors. Eminence is attached to the great bustard's distinction as being Europe's largest flying land bird... Read more >>   Improving ecosystem service provision from agricultural practices LIFE support for agricultural communities comes in many forms, including studies that identify practical options to help farmers find economically viable ways of mitigating climate change. Ecosystem services have been referred to as "the benefits provided by ecosystems to humans". Agricultural products like food and drink, energy and textiles rely heavily on ecosystem services provided by biodiversity, such as nutrient cycling, carbon storage, pest regulation and pollination. Promoting the healthy functioning of agricultural ecosystems thus helps to ensure the resilience of EU farm environments as they modernise to meet the growing demands for agri-commodities. Read more >>     Announcements 04 July: New publication! LIFE preventing species extinction: Safeguarding endangered flora and fauna through ex-situ conservation   11 July: Biofuel LIFE project wins Greek innovation prize   19 July: Commission to provide €244 million for 183 new LIFE+ projects   27 July: PRIME beach campaign on Posidonia management   28 July: LIFE Environment conference points the way forward   28 July: Web users witness first online birth of a Cory's Shearwater chick   05 August: Red kite reintroduced to Tuscany     Forthcoming events 15-16 August: Marine and coastal conservation: dealing with impacting activities   03-05 October: Houting conference in Denmark     View other events     Highlight     Commission to provide €244 million for 183 new LIFE+ projects     Project summaries Read the latest project summaries     Subscribe to LIFE RSS feed No need to surf to get informed about LIFE. Subscribe here   .

LIFEnews is issued every month by the LIFE Unit of the European Commission's Directorate General for the Environment. The content of the newsletter does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the institutions of the European Union. Visit the LIFE programme website at: http://ec.europa.eu/life