ECNC

ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation is an independent organization working for the conservation and sustainable use of Europe’s nature, biodiversity and landscapes. Since its establishment in 1993 ECNC has developed a working partnership with an extensive network of organizations and institutes from all over Europe.

ECNC provides its expertise to national and regional governments, intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency and the Council of Europe, and to institutions working in financing, land use and research. It works closely together with the NGO community.

ECNC projects are clustered in six thematic programmes: 

• nature and society
• interaction between business and biodiversity
• green infrastructure
• ecosystem services and biodiversity assessment
• ecosystem and species management
• keeping policy commitments alive

In these programmes, ECNC also specifically addresses European landscape issues.

ECNC Group
In 2009 ECNC and the Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation; the ECNC Group was born. The ECNC Group consists of two units: 'Biodiversity and Nature' (ECNC) and 'Coastal and Marine' (EUCC). The members of the ECNC Group are ECNC, the EUCC and Centro Mediterráneo. EuroNatur, the NatureBureau and EECONET Action Fund are observers.

On 1 July 2010 the Large Herbivore Foundation (LHF) joined the Biodiversity & Nature unit of the ECNC Group. LHF’s legacy is carried forward in the form of the Large Herbivore Network (LHNet) as part of ECNC's programme Ecosystem and Species Management.

This integration will increase the impact and scope of the work on biodiversity, integrated coastal zone management and marine issues, and sustainable development. It will also allow ECNC to provide stakeholders and funders with an even broader range of services and activities.

Mission
ECNC is dedicated to a beautiful Europe based on a rich biodiversity, healthy ecosystems and sustainable development. ECNC promotes an integrated approach for both land and sea and actively stimulates the interaction between science, society and policy.

Vision
The vision concerns the 'ideal' ECNC strives for: the desirable state of Europe's nature in 20 to 25 years' time. The vision takes into account the interaction between ecosystems, the role of landscapes, the integration of nature considerations into economy, and the perception and appreciation of nature in people's minds.

ECNC briefs
ECNC outlines its position in several key areas in ECNC briefs. They have been approved by the Board and Scientific Council, and are available to download as PDF files.