PROJECT LIFE IAS

On 1 June 2025, the project titled “Protection of Bird Populations in Special Protected Areas through control and eradication of Invasive Animal Species in Slovakia – LIFE24-NAT-SK-LIFE IAS_SK (code 101215398)” was launched, co-financed by the European Commission under the LIFE Programme. The aim of the project is to stop the spread of four invasive alien animal species — the American mink, Raccoon dog, Raccoon, and Coypu — in 13 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in Slovakia. The objective is to ensure the protection of 17 target bird species within these SPAs. The project is implemented by the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia, the Slovak Hunting Chamber, and the Capital City of the Slovak Republic Bratislava.

Field activities will take place in 13 NATURA 2000 – Special Protection Areas: Dunajské luhy, Dubnické štrkovisko, Horná Orava, Kráľová, Medzibodrožie, Parížske močiare, Senianske rybníky, Sĺňava, Sysľovské polia, Úľanská mokraď, Veľkoblahovské rybníky, Záhorské Pomoravie, and Žitavský luh, with the aim of ensuring the protection of species and habitats of: Garganey, Ferruginous duck, Black‑tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Great Bustard, Little Egret, Mediterranean Gull, Black Tern, Little Crake, Spotted Crake, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Great Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Bittern, and Red-crested Pochard.

NATURA 2000 is the network of protected sites of EU member states and the main aim of its creation is to preserve the natural heritage that is important not only for the Member State concerned, but particularly for the EU as a whole. This network of protected areas designed to protect the rarest and most endangered species of wild plants, wildlife and natural habitats occurring in the territory of the European Union and by protecting these species and habitats to ensure the conservation of biological diversity throughout the European Union. The basis for the establishment of the Natura 2000 network are the two EU legal norms: Council Directive of the European Communities no. 2009/147 / EC (Codification of 30 November 2009) on the conservation of wild birds (also known as the Birds Directive); Directive of the European Communities no. 92/43 / EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (also known as the Habitats Directive). Natura 2000 network is formed from two types of sites: Special Protection Areas (Special Protection Areas, SPA) – announced by the under the Birds Directive – the national legislation: CHVÚ (Protected bird areas); Special Areas of Conservation (Special Areas of Conservation, SACs) – promulgated under the Habitats Directive – in national legislation: areas of European importance – before the declaration after the declaration of the area included within the national category of protected areas. More about NATURA 2000.

LIFE Programme is the European Union’s financial instrument for the environment. The general objective of the programme is to contribute to the implementation of EU environmental policy by co‑financing projects with clear European added value. Projects implemented under the LIFE Nature and Biodiversity sub‑programme are focused on achieving the objectives of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. More information here.