EU nature conservation, an interdisciplinary practice on ecology, law, and governance

ongoing

"The EU faces significant challenges in effectively governing its natural environment. The Natura 2000 framework, the network of protected areas safeguarding biodiversity in Europe, provides the highest environmental protection regime to designated areas in the EU Member States. However, many valuable ecosystems exist outside this network, making them more vulnerable to cumulative environmental damage. A particular problem related to non-Natura 2000 areas is that the difference in legal protection essentially means that for such areas the cumulative effect of economic activities, with the exception of nitrogen deposits, is not taken into account. This complex issue requires interdisciplinary solutions that integrate ecological knowledge, legal frameworks, and governance structures. Addressing this requires a new generation of professionals equipped to navigate these complexities. EUNC project aims to address these needs through an interdisciplinary approach in a multidisciplinary setting, specifically aiming at the following outcomes: • Develop and Implement an Interdisciplinary Course: Create a new university course titled ""Ecology, Law, and Governance in Practice"" at Wageningen University & Research. This course will integrate ecological, legal, and governance perspectives to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to address complex environmental challenges. • Foster Dialogue and Collaboration: Organize a series of six open discussions with diverse stakeholder groups, including policymakers, civil servants, businesses, NGOs, and community members. These discussions aim to promote diverse perspectives, identify challenges, and co-create solutions for improving environmental governance in non-Natura 2000 areas. • Develop and deliver a short course for educators to create innovative teaching methodologies that integrate multiple disciplines, thereby enhancing the capacity of educators to teach complex environmental topics."