NATURES aims to address the loss of biodiversity by defining common tools and a joint strategy to preserve the natural heritage and the landscape in the programme area, with priority given to common species and habitats protected by Directives 92/43/EEC and 79/409/EEC.

For each species and habitat identified as important for their ecological value, extinction concerns, or endemic aspects in the programme area, project partners will jointly develop a common conservation plan for the habitats and species identified within the project, a training activity on conservation measures, a pilot implementation and testing of concrete actions on species and habitats, and a Transnational Joint Strategy for the better management of priority species and habitats in Natura 2000 sites in the programme area.

The three common species and their pilot areas are Lutra lutra (Sila National Park), Caretta caretta (Fiumarola Amenolea IT9350145 Natura 2000 site), and Bombina pachypus (Aspromonte National Park); the four common habitats (with their pilot areas) are Coastal lagoons (State Nature Reserve / Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto), Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae (Natura 2000 code: 7210 – Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park), Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster (Natura 2000 code: 2270 – National Park of Kotyhi Strofylia Wetlands), and Mediterranean temporary ponds (Natura 2000 code: 3170 – National Marine Park of Zakynthos).

Cross-border cooperation is necessary to define a coordinated and shared strategy for the better management of Natura 2000 sites, to create synergies on conservation measures between the Greek and Italian bodies responsible for environmental protection, to achieve the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Law, and to place 30% of EU sea and terrestrial areas under protection by 2030, as planned by the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.