Natura 2000 protection areas SIC-ZSC – Val d’Orléans

The Natura 2000 network is a set of natural, terrestrial and marine sites whose objective is to contribute to the preservation of biological diversity in the territory of the European Union. This network reconciles nature conservation with socio-economic concerns. It is composed of sites designated by each of the Member States under the European Birds and Habitats Directives of 1979 and 1992 according to specific criteria of rarity and ecological interest. These guidelines provide for the designation of sites as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the conservation of birds and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats and species (excluding birds). Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the conservation of habitat types and animal and plant species listed in Annexes I and II to the Habitats Directive. With regard to the designation of SACs, each Member State shall submit its proposals to the European Commission in the form of pSICs (proposal for a site of Community importance). After approval by the Commission, the pSIC is listed as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) for the European Union and is integrated into the Natura 2000 network. A ministerial decree then signs the site as ZSC.