LIFE

EU LIFE Nature Programme

Spectacled warbler, D Cachia

The EU LIFE Nature Programme provides funding to European Union countries to promote sustainable development and assist in developing positive management for key habitats and birds. In practice, projects must contribute to the implementation of the “Birds” and “Habitats” European Directives.

Under the Birds Directive, EU countries must conserve the habitats of certain rare species of birds and regularly occurring migratory birds. In particular, each country must classify the most suitable areas of such habitats as Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

Bumblee orchid, M Borg Cardona

The Habitats Directive obliges EU countries to protect areas that support certain natural habitats (with particular species of plants or animals) as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

To find out more visit the EU LIFE Programme.

To find out more about Malta’s protected areas and the work of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, visit www.mepa.org.mt.