LIFE+ & Military
Natural sites owned and used by the military are characterized by relatively undisturbed environmental habitats due to their isolation from the general public. This statement applies to numerous military sites (training grounds, campsites, etc.) throughout Europe. Many of these environmentally valuable, often vast areas are within the Natura 2000 network; furthermore many of them have been the grounds for natural conservation and demonstration projects co-financed by LIFE. In general, the main objectives of these projects are to preserve the natural resources of these special sites, restore previously degraded habitats and population of valuable species, preserve biodiversity, and, most importantly, to find an optimal balance between ongoing military activities and the natural preservationist perspective.