European Natura 2000 Day Celebrated in Grevenmacher

On Sunday 18 May 2025, an opening ceremony to mark the start of European Natura 2000 Day, as well as the SIAS Climate and Biodiversity Day, took place at the Machera Cultural Centre in Grevenmacher.

Natura 2000 is a European network of protected nature areas, where certain species of animal and their natural habitats are protected in order to preserve biodiversity. It is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, extending across all 27 EU Member States, both on land and at sea.

The municipalities of Contern, Niederanven, Sandweiler and Schuttrange created the intermunicipal union SIAS in 1974. The union's objective is to support municipalities in the implementation of nature protection measures, including the environment and water.

The European Union has declared 21 May as the annual European Natura 2000 Day. The aim of Natura 2000 Day is to make society aware of the Natura 2000 Network and to highlight the importance of protecting Europe’s natural heritage and biodiversity, especially the rarest and most endangered species and habitats.

There are eight Natura 2000 Steering Committees (COPIL) in Luxembourg that implement Natura 2000 management plans in the Grand Duchy.

Sunday’s event began with speeches from Luxembourg’s Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, President of SIAS, Claude Marson, and Alderman of Grevenmacher, Marc Krier. This was followed by the screening of short films on climate and biodiversity produced by local schoolchildren.

The event programme featured a range of activities, for adults and children alike, offering those present the chance to learn about Natura 2000 and the importance of understanding and protecting biodiversity, through live talks, workshops, interactive games, information stands and a Science Quiz, among others.