Operational Plan of the Agency for Nature and Forests (2014)

The objectives and projects implement the vision to realise more and better nature, forests and green spaces and to bring nature to the heart of people in the middle of society (See: http://www.natuurenbos.be/nl-BE/Over-ons/Missie_en_visie.aspx).

Objective 1: contribute to the ambitions for biodiversity through:
• the development of conservation objectives and measures in consultation with partners and stakeholders
   - development of conservation objectives
   - development of a monitoring plan for Natura 2000 and for the management of government domains
• the extension of the surface with effective nature oriented management, with the target of an additional 3000 ha every year
   - Life projects
   - focused acquisition of land
   - support NGOs
• the implementation of a contemporary species policy
   - prioritise species for development of action plans
   - avoid/mitigate impact by protected species
   - develop strategy for invasive species
   - Life and Interreg projects
• cooperation with partners
   - Life projects
   - cooperation projects for the rivers Schelde (Sigma plan), Leie, Seine-Schelde, and the port areas Gentse Kanaalzone, Antwerpse haven, haven Zeebrugge

Objective 2: increase ‘experience and possibilities to enjoy’ nature, forest and green spaces:
• ensure public accessibility in all government domains
   - projects ADAGIO to increase accessibility and attractiveness of government domains, Bosland
• support, facilitate and responsibilise partners for public accessibility of their domains
   - Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
   - project Alden Biesen
• enhance valorisation of nature, forest and green spaces: increase knowledge on economic functions and insight in market systems and impact of management practices;
   - project KOBE gathering knowledge on economic functions of forests and biomass production
• make that cost-benefits of nature are taken into account in decision making based on quantification and monetary valuation of ecosystem services
   - projects on ES, benefits of Natura 2000, benefits of green structures in cities

Objective 3: enhance green spaces in and around cities
• align green policy with societal needs
   - support and facilitate greening projects, set up competitions

Objective 4: fulfil conditions that are critical for an efficient and effective nature policy
• active participation in concertation and implementation of international and European policy for nature, forest and green spaces
• harmonise various legislations on nature and forest aspects and simplify procedures
   - integration of nature and forest legislation, development of new legislation on management of nature areas and related subsidies
• implement enforcement plan to induce respect for nature
• contribute to the establishment of the new spatial plan of Flanders
• contribute to the implementation of the integrated water policy
• use a communication strategy to raise public and institutional awareness