Bulletin of the European Information Centre for Nature Conservation EUROPEAN STEERING EDITORIAL INFORMATION COMMITTEE CENTRE OF THE This is the first issue of the Bulletin of the NATURE IN FOCUS European Information Centre for Nature Conser­ N° 1 CENTRE vation. FOR We have decided to call it " Nature in Focus”. Our aim is to disseminate ideas on how to pub­ Spring 1968 NATURE 1967-68 licise nature conservation. The Bulletin is thus oriented to all those who are concerned with CONSERVATION explaining the need to conserve nature and natural resources and how to do it. Its contents will be based directly on information supplied by the National Agencies of the Centre. CONTENTS Aesthetic and cultural values apart, the cost inBELGILM Mr. E. J. J. KESTELOOT, “ Nature in Focus” will be issued twice a year economic and social terms of inadequate conserva­ Directeur du Service de la Conservation de la Nature. to start with. Each issue will normally contain A CASE STUDY tion of natural resources not only to our own butInstitut to Royal des Sciences Naturelles en Belgique. 31, rue Vautier, these sections: future generations, is immeasurable. In the battleBRUXELLES 4. MESSAGE IN THE SEA against the exhaustion or misuse of natural re­ (i) a case study in depth of a publicity campaign, Georges Tendron F.R. GERMANY sources and of our natural environment, the co­ outlining methods, organisation, results, Dr. H. LOHMEYER, operation of a better informed public is essential, Wiss. Oberrat im Institut für Raumforschung in der etc.; since all groups of citizens are in one way or another Bundesanstalt für Landeskunde und Raumforschung. Postfach 130. (ii) articles on major events in nature conser­ tapping these resources and using this environment. Michaelshof. vation; It is therefore of vital importance to make the public532 BAD GODESBERG. (iii) short notes on conservation information aware of the dangers attendant upon a thoughtless FRANCE questions. MAJOR EVENTS exploitation of these resources and to inculcate Mr. G. TENDRON (Chairman), Sous-Directeur au Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in them a better knowledge of what their behaviour chargé du Service de Conservation de la Nature. In this issue, however, the third section is devot­ WATER THE VITAL ELEMENT towards their natural environment should be. 57, rue Cuvier, ed to explaining the tasks ~>f the Centre. 75 PARIS V. Senator Housiaux To this end the Committee of Ministers of the ITALY Council of Europe agreed to set up in 1967, under John C. Robertson Prof. M. PAVAN, the auspices of the European Committee for theDirettore Institute di Entomologia Agraria Universita di Pavia. Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Via a Taramelli 24, PAVIE. European Information Centre for Nature Conserva­ tion. NETHERLANDS Mr. Z. SALVERDA, EUROPEAN CONSERVATION The Centre is a unit of the Secretariat General State Institute for Nature Conservation Research. working in close collaboration with National Agencies Laan van Beek en Royen 40-41, YEAR 1970 ZEIST. set up in the member States o f the Council of Europe. R. E. Boote It is guided and supervised by a Steering Committee SWEDEN Edgar Kesteloot which reports annually to the European Committee.Mr. L. E. E S P IN G , Head of Division. The purpose of the Centre is to stimulate andThe Swedish Nature Conservancy Board St rate ns “ Nature in Focus" is published by the European Infor­ Naturvaardsnämnd, improve publicity on nature conservation by pooling mation Centre for the Conservation of Nature of the Box 1104, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France. SOLNA 1. available ideas and materials and promoting co­ Editeur responsable: Mr. STEN RENBORG operation between those bodies, public and private, Editor: Mr. JOHN C. ROBERTSON UNITED KINGDOM Printed by Imprimerie H. Studer, S.A., SHORT NOTES concerned. Mr. P. CONDER, Geneva, Switzerland. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Lodge, Articles may be reprinted provided a reference is made TASKS OF THE CENTRE The tree, symbolising nature, surrounded by the SANDY to the source and a copy sent to the Editor. circle of twelve stars of the Council of Europe, is the Bedfordshire. “ Nature in Focus" may be obtained by application to emblem adopted for the Council’s Nature Con­ the appropriate National Agency (see addresses on back servation activities. cover). The design of the emblem was commissioned The views and opinions expressed in signed articles from Mr. Prosper du Bois-Reymond of Zurich, Cover photo: Scene at Oberbayern, Fed. Rep. of Germany are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Switzerland. (Photo: Dr. O. Kraos). the views of the Council of Europe. at the ceremonies attending its departure. The experiment proved the existence of surface cur­ rents which make prohibited zones for the dis­ charge of oil residues meaningless, and revealed the existence of accumulations of oil, often in enormous quantities, waiting for exceptionally high winds to drive them on the coast. It was at this point that the French National Society for Conser­ vation of Nature awarded “ Femmes d'Aujour- d'hui " its Grand Silver Medal. The Operation continued to spread, and in 1966 became world wide, when it adopted the name of “ World Operation Message in the Sea" and with the support of the International Union of Official Tourist Organisations, was selected as one of the main themes of International Tourist Year (1967), proclaimed by the United Nations General As­ sembly. Heads of State, Ministers, and Inter­ national celebrities gave their names in support of the Operation.

The list of patrons is as follows: H. E. Leopold Sedar Senghor, President of the Senegalese Republic. purpose and community spirit is borne out by GEORGES the campaign for nature conservation carried on H.R.H. Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, for the last five years by the Franco-Belgian weekly President of the International Commission for TENDRON the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean "Femmes d'Aujourd’hui ”, to whom credit for Sea. Service de Conservation de la Nature “ Operation Message in the Sea" is due. The idea Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. underlying this operation was to enlist a large H.R.H. Prince Albert of Belgium, President of the number of its readers 1 in an enterprise of value Belgian Red Cross. Also under the patronage of The Merchant Navy. Organisations acknowledged to be serving a to mankind. Mr. Peter Smithers, Secretary General of the The International Union of Official Tourist Organ­ useful public purpose and other cultural associa­ Council of Europe. isations. tions of essential importance frequently find Mr. J. Rouillier, Secretary General of IMCO. difficulty today in making ends meet. Times have World Wide Operation Extent and Scope changed, and the wealthy patrons who used to Mr. Raymond Marcellin, Deputy Minister attached assist them are becoming rare. These organisa­ The operation began in 1962 with a seaside to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, responsible La Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and tions, in order to carry out the tasks they have set game: 1,159 bottles containing messages from for the Plan and for Town and Country Planning. Air France co-operated in the dropping of large Belgian children were dropped into the North themselves, can no longer appeal exclusively to Mr. Pierre Messmer, Minister for the Army. numbers of messages. 250,000 were dropped a small circle, however distinguished; they must Sea. The French Central Hydrographic Service overboard from the “ France" on the Havre- both make themselves known to a far wider public of the Navy speedily found themselves interested Mr. Olivier Guichard, Minister of Industry. New York route, and the American and Canadian in the results, and from that time on gave un­ and at the same time arouse in them an urgent Mr. Pierre Dumas, Secretary of State attached to Press gave the enterprise an exceptionally friendly qualified support to the organisers. Following sense of the need to support and defend worthy the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, responsible reception. A few months later 50,000 messages this success the organisers proceeded to obtain causes. The difficulty is greatly increased by the for Tourism. transported as far as Port-de-France by Air France the aid and backing of official and private scientific were dropped overboard in the Caribbean Sea vast quantity of products—often in competition Mr. Jean Morin, Secretary General of the Merchant with one another—as well as ideas, in general and tourist organisations, both Belgian and inter­ by the S.S. Antilles. The results were received by Navy. circulation. The population explosion of modern national, such as the Department of Nature the French Central Hydrographic Service. The times, moreover, only serves to multiply the major Conservation at the National Museum of Natural Mr. André Gougenheim, Chief Hydrographic Sur­ Ministry for Foreign Affairs then commissioned problems demanding additional forms of patron­ History, the Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, veyor of the French Navy, Member of the Institute the international department of the French radio age. Official and semi-official bodies, national and the International Committee of Tourism, etc. and of the Central Astronomical Office. and television service to make a twenty-minute international organisations equally find them­ In 1964, 150,000 messages were dropped into The following Belgian Ministers: film on “ World Operation Message in the Sea”, selves frequently hindered by inadequate funds the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. The under­ Mr. Pierre Wigny, Minister of French Culture. and a lack of organisational structures and flexi­ taking thus took on European proportions, and Title picture shows the Liberian tanker “Torrey Canyon " bility. Even they are not always in a position to the traditional bottles were replaced by plastic Mr. C. Heger, Minister of Agriculture. breaking up on the Seven Stones rocks in March 1967. make use of new methods for the collection and This incident brought the great danger of sea’ pollution envelopes similar to those used by the Navy. Mr. R. A. Van Alslande, Minister of Flemish distribution of information even if these are These envelopes were dropped from the “ Louis by oil sharply before the attention of the general public. Culture. (Photo: Central Office of Information, London.) necessary and proven. Lumière ", a ship belonging to the Messageries Mr. Frans Grootjans, Minister of Education. We have no intention here of proposing any Maritimes, and His Royal Highness Prince’Albert, Photograph above shows Prince Rainier III of Monaco, President of the Belgian Red Cross, was present Mr. Jan Piers, Minister—Secretary of State for the President of the International Commission for scientific authoritative and final answer to this problem, Exploration of the Mediterranean, expressing the support but only of paving the way for the contribution Civil Service and Tourism. of the Principality of Monaco for the “Message in the Sea" campaign. (Photo: supplied by the “ Museum natio­ which business firms can make. That the business ’ Circulation of “ Femmes d'Aujourd’hui" between 1,600,000, Mr. Toussaint, Minister—Secretary of State for nal d'Histoire naturelle", Paris.) world can be inspired by a sense of disinterested and 1,800,000 weekly. Education. OPERATION MONDIALE WORLD OPERATION MESSAGE A LA MER *F MESSAGE IN THE SEA

ZONES DE L A N C E M E N T *^LAUNCHING ZONES Mer du Nord, Pt du Raz Juin 64 1,2 North Sea, Raz Pt. June 64 Le France Octobre 66 3,4 The Trance" October 66 Caraïbes Décembre 66 5 Caribbean December 66

Map drawn by Secretariat based on material supplied by Sénégal Mai 67 6 Senegal May 67 The National Museum of Natural History, PARIS. Mer du Nord juin 67 7 North Sea June 67

Carte dessinée par le Secretariat sur la base d'informations Bretagne Octobre 67 8 Brittany October 67 communiquées parle Museum National d Histoire Naturelle Méditerranée Novembre 67 9 Mediterranean November67 PARIS. Avenir F Future BARTHOLOMEW'S 'NORDIC' PROJECTION The Seven Isles, an archipelago It is already possible to make out a list of suc­ nation to nation, as shown in the friendly greetings situated to the north of Perros cesses achieved by “ World Operation Message of the Senegalese to the Breton fishermen trans­ Guirec, acts as a refuge of many in the Sea”. All those responsible for nature mitted by M. Forfana, the Senegalese Minister, sea birds. Unfortunately, the oil which invaded the region did conservation, whether on a national or inter­ who attended the Breton Message to the Sea Day not spare the islands and many national level, whether they have pledged support expressly for this purpose. The International of the birds there were victims or not, can only rejoice over the proportions Union of Official Tourist Organisations found of the viscous sludge. (Photo: achieved by this campaign for conservation of the "Operation” a theme of great interest for right— A sea Parrot taken from the sea of oil at the Seven Isles— the ocean. All the more so since the establish­ International Tourist Year. In view of the value of French Press Agency.) ment of a central body and the development of the the information and help it provided the Council of different operations were made under conditions IMCO (Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative that none of them would have been in a position Organisation) decided to urge all member States to assure, let alone even imagine. Those of them to enter into contact with it. Below: A « Message in the Sea» who have played a close or remote part in “ Opera­ Many distinguished personalities have given lamp, symbolising the fight their support to the campaign against ocean against oil pollution, presented tion” have succeeded in reaching a wider public to H E. President Senghor of often little aware of their activities. The propaganda pollution, signing their names—sometimes with Senegal on 28th May 1967. and publicity achieved in various categories of the the addition of a message or comment—in the Press is proof enough. As an essential counter “ Golden Book” of the World Operation Message This oil-burning lamp comes from a tanker. Its flame, lit by part “ World Operation Message in the Sea” to the Sea. Among these names figure those of the President himself during the has provided serious subject-matter for the spe­ President Senghor, Princess Paola, Prince Albert, presentation, will burn until the cialised press, which has devoted considerable Prince Rainier of Monaco, and the Duke of fight is won, i.e. until the jetti­ space to it. This information, always available in Windsor, and others well-known in the sciences soning of oil in the sea is totally forbidden by law. (Photo: Jean principle, has been made widely available to the and the arts, such as Jean Rostand, Gougenheim, Cassefières.) public in practice by the fact that organisations Capert, Maurice Chevalier, Alain Bombard, and and individuals, frequently very different, have André Maurois. worked together in close proximity. This has created a form of "am plifier” which might never Conclusions have come into existence without the “ Operation ” To what can the success of this campaign to provide a focus. The contacts which have been against ocean pollution be attributed? To the solid made, moreover, will in future undoubtedly play basis provided by “ Femmes d’Aujourd’hui ", guar­ a part in the professional work of all who anteeing a certain budget, certainly, but primarily participated. to a trained staff devoted to the Operation, com­ plete with offices, the necessary equipment, etc. Scientific Results To this must be added the decision to undertake This “ amplifier” formed the basis of a veritable an uninterrupted series of activities. In terms of “ brains trust” against ocean pollution. Discov­ technique and activities, "W orld Operation Mes­ eries were made with its assistance. The colour sage in the Sea” has introduced a new form of blue, which Professor Capart claimed was invis­ patronage. ible to seabirds, was employed in the manufacture Useful and attractive however as this new form of the messages after an experiment undertaken of patronage may be, it demands considerable in the roadsteads of Brest with the Central Hydro- caution. Only activities undertaken by sound graphic Service of the Navy, which had employed organisations of good repute can be accepted orange for such purposes. The results were very for consideration before they are given advice, convincing and blue was thenceforward adopted assistance and support. It is a difficult choice; and pollution of the oceans. This film, translated organised by the “ World Operation Message by the Navy for its investigations into Marine the proposals put forward may be very tempting. into seven languages, will be seen by television in the Sea” at Lorient, where Mr. Raymond Marcel- Dynamics. The UBC-Sidac laboratories perfected Yet a campaign for the protection of ladybirds, audiences of some 200 million in Africa, Asia lin, Deputy Minister attached to the Cabinet of a special material on which the messages were for instance, organised by a manufacturer of and North and South America. the Prime Minister and responsible for the Plan printed, a form of plastic paper, impervious to chemical products, would be out of the question. The documentary film was distributed at the and Town and Country Planning, took the chair, decay and water-repellent, which in the near future Partners in such an operation as the World Mr. Forfana, Senegalese Minister for Information beginning of 1967. In the same year the African may perhaps revolutionise marine cartography. Operation Message to the Sea must have no continent joined the " operation ". Mr. Senghor, and Tourism, brought the Breton fishermen friend­ And finally, above all, the information on surface ulterior motives. Double-dealing would gravely ly greetings from the fishermen of Senegal. President of the Senegalese Republic, personally currents collected through the hundreds of thou­ damage the character of the cause and the institu­ took part in events organised by the " Operation In November 1967 Their Royal Highnesses the sands of messages which have been dropped into tions concerned. 50,000 messages were dropped into the sea along Prince and Princess of Monaco presided over a the sea throughout the world has proved a con­ Since patronage in the form of support for the Senegalese coast. Air Africa, the air company meeting of the “ Operation" which took place in tribution of incalculable scientific value to the techniques and activities is a new formula, at set up by the Common Afro-Malagasy Organisa­ the Principality, and messages were dropped Central Hydrographic Service. least in Western Europe, it has to prove its worth. tion, gave it unqualified support. In a ceremony Wetherefore send our best wishesforthe success­ into the sea from the Cousteau floating laboratory The Human Factor commemorative of the first 50,000 messages drop­ of the Delegation for Scientific Research. ful conclusion of "World Operation Message in ped in the North Sea, H.R.H. Princess Paola of Apart from the organisations for the conser­ the Sea” and warmly welcome the new project Belgium dropped the 500,001 st message, written Furthermore one of the countries of East vation of nature, other bodies, including firms of “ Femmes d'Aujourd’hui ”, which is organising by President Senghor, overboard. This was coun­ Europe, Rumania, has officially made known its which supported the Operation, such as the a European and what may prove to be a world tersigned by Mr. Haman Diori, President of Nigher desire to take part in the organisation, and the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, Air France, campaign for the protection of wild animals. and the Common Afro-Malagasy Organisation, Far East is already awaiting the first dropping Air Africa, have found themselves in the limelight France will shortly be the first to follow in the pledging 15 African countries to unconditional of messages, which will shortly take place from and have gained prestige in many countries. footsteps of Belgium, where “ Operation Noah’s support. A few weeks later, during proceedings a ship outward bound from Bombay. Human contacts have been established from Ark” has begun. result in the water received being unfit for any sort of use? To admit the evidence for a negative reply to these questions, is at the same time to recognise the difficulty of finding satisfactory solutions. Nevertheless, the problem is still being limited by the fact that only international waters are under consideration.

Industrial usage Industries remain the largest users of water. Might not an intolerable financial burden, reflected ) in the selling price of goods produced, be imposed on an industry obtaining its water supply from a 1 pure source, yet obliged to return it to the river in the same state of purity which it had originally possessed? But can a user further downstream legitimately be to pay large sums for the purifying of already polluted water, thus inflicting another kind of burden on the price of his products? n * 4 t Detergent on the Seine at Paris. (Photo: UNESCO.)

adopted new legislative measures providing more or less similar solutions. Despite the diverse origins of their respective legal systems, the texts they have drawn up agree in their essentials. Such a circumstance will facilitate any inter­ national agreement which might be envisaged, and this fact is now engrossing the attention of a Working Group of the Council of Europe. At first sight, such an agreement should deal with international waters—those which form the boundary between one State and another or those which flow from one into another. In fact, this Senator Housiaux (Belgium) Thus, not only the representatives of eighteen question does arise. Does national sovereignty European States, but also governmental experts include the right to pollute “ ad lib" waters which Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Launching Ceremony for are shared with a neighbour or to cause, in States the Water Charter and the Water Conservation Campaign of the Council of from all the European member States of the Europe. United Nations, adopted an identical line of downstream, damage so great that it might even In 1963, proposals emanating from four of its conduct. This event, full of promise for the future, is worth stressing. committees—Cultural, Social, Agriculture and This is a problem already being encountered in Local Authorities—were laid before the Consul­ For water, the source of life, is rare and precious each of our countries, but it becomes increasingly tative Assembly of the Council of Europe. Each and as industry develops and men become more acute when met at international level. It is only of these Committees, representing its own inter­ numerous, so its rarity augments and its purity too easy for a given user to bring pressure on est, brought before the Consultative Assembly is threatened. his government, by showing that his foreign the problem of water pollution. competitor is not faced with the same purificatory Legal Measures An ad hoc Working Party was set up and finally, obligations... or even if he is, to say that the law at its October session in 1965, the Assembly No-one today would deny this fact. It has thus is not applied equally rigourously in his neigh­ adopted twelve basic principles relating to water become essential to give legal and statutory bour's country as in his own. pollution and, inevitably, water resources. force to those lines of action laid down in the principles on which agreement has been reached. Shared Resources At the same time, the question was being raised One encouraging circumstance favours the solu­ A further complication arises from the neces­ at the Economic Commission for Europe of the tion of the problem: most Western European sity to compensate for the lack of water, if only United Nations (Geneva) which, in a different States—France, Italy, the Federal Republic of form, adopted principles identical to those recog­ Germany, the United Kingdom (to mention only Photograph above shows water contributing to the beauty nised by the Council of Europe, leaving aside the largest)—have during the past eight years of a scene. (Photo: Council of Europe.) only the question of international waters, as this Photograph (left) shows industrial and transportation would have required prior negotiations with gov­ use of water. Scene at Basin de Maashaven, Rotterdam. Title Photo: Ragner Frislid. (Photo: K.M. Aerocarto m.v.) ernments. for limited domestic uses, in one catchment area, and over again, that his domestic water supply by borrowing in ever increasing amounts from is in peril; that in many places it is impossible to another. bathe in the Rhine or the Seine because more If national legislation has tried to solve the than a million types of disease producing germs problems arising within its own borders, inter­ contaminate the water and threaten the bather; national law must intervene to achieve uniformity, that if conservation measures are not taken now, in the different countries, of measures taken to future generations will find themselves faced with maintain and conserve the quality and quantity a situation so grave that their health, as well as of available water. This step is essential, because their pleasures, will be grievously affected. one of the elements affecting human life itself is as stake. European Charter But to conserve water resources, to carry out That is why a Water Charter, containing what EUROPEAN unavoidable cleansing which self-purification is might be termed “ The Twelve Commandments" powerless to perform, to prevent elements which of water conservation, will be diffused, with the CONSERVATION YEAR cannot be decomposed by biological means being help of the public authorities—national, regional discharged into the water—all this implies a large and local—throughout Europe in May this year. 1970 outlay, for the public authorities as well as for private individuals. Everyone must grasp the fact that there is no longer enough water for all; that water will always European Conservation Year (EC Y) seeks to focus public attention Implementation be the source of life; that without vegetation there is on the need for a fresh approach to the effects on the country side of technological progress, demographic pressures and the attitudes of a Thus it is not surprising that when one moves no water and without water, no vegetation; that changing society. Nature knows no political frontiers; these issues can from legislation, which all have approved, to its water is needed to make bread as well as to make steel and that water resources must be properly no longer be dealt with at national level alone. They concern every Euro­ implementation, there is an outcry. At this very pean citizen, whose personal responsibility it is to work for an environ­ managed; that our generation is accountable to time, the enforcement of French law is arousing ment fit for human habitation and enjoyment. violent protests in the Artois and in the North, future generations for this heritage and that to EC Y should demonstrate the co-operative efforts of many nations and these are extending to the Rhine-Meuse solve the immense problem before us today, action must be taken on a European scale. to improve man's environment. It will open formally early in 1970 with basin, uniting Alsace and Lorraine... a conference in Strasbourg not only of representatives o f the 18 member That is why the Council of Europe believes that, Such an acceptance of the facts is indispensable countries of the Council, but also of many other nations, of international if practical results are to be reached without too if man is to be asked to make sacrifices. organisations, and of the major interests concerned with the environ­ much difficulty, measures must be taken to make All those concerned with the great problems ment. They will seek agreement on the philosophy and principles essential to maintaining and improving the environment, and their codification the public conscious of the dangers involved in of human ecology must make this struggle their in a European Conservation Declaration. the disappearance and pollution of water re­ own and continue until their aims are finally sources; the man-in-the-street must be told, over achieved. For the success of EC Y three main types of national activity appear essential, although these are not intended to limit the range scale of national effort. 1. Exhibitions and related measures, central and local, to interest people more widely in environmental issues. THE WATER CHARTER 2. Conferences, general and specialist, to show leaders at all levels how their work and responsibilities affect the environment and Prepared by the European Committee for theThe quality of water must be how they can help to enhance it. Conservation o f Nature and Natural Resources on resources must be planned by a proposal from the Consultative Assembly, themaintained at levels suitable for the appropriate authorities. 3. Personal involvement through specific conservation projects at European Water Charter was unanimously adopted the use to be made of it and, in by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Conservation of water calls national and local level. particular, must meet appropri­ Europe, on behalf o f the eighteen member Govern­ for intensified scientific re­ ments. ate public health standards. Reports on the outcome of national and European activities in EC Y The Charter contains a preamble and twelve articles, search, training of specialists each consisting o f a principle accompanied by aWhen used water is returned and public information services. and proposals for joint action will be presented in 1971 to the European commentary. The iwelve principles are set out below.to a common source, it must not Committee for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, to A booklet containing the complete text o f the Charter Water is a common heritage, is available on request. impaire the further uses, both the value of which must be the Committee of Ministers o f the Council o f Europe and to governments. public and private, to which the recognised by all. Everyone has There is no life without water. R. E. Boote (United Kingdom) common source will be put. the duty to use water carefully * It is a treasure indispensable to The maintenance of an ade­ and economically. Chairman all human activity. quate vegetation cover, prefer­ The management of water re­ Preparatory Group for Fresh water resources are not ably forest land, is imperative sources should be based on European Conservation Year. inexhaustible. It is essential to for the conservation of water their natural basins rather than conserve, control, and wherever resources. on political and administrative possible, to increase them. boundaries. Water resources must be as­ To pollute water is to harm sessed. Water knows no frontiers; as man and other living creatures a common resource it demands which are dependent on water. The wise husbandry of water international co-operation. To promote a wider understanding of: interest and allow more concentrated action on the importance of Europe's natural re­ such matters as: sources; water policies; the character, extent and effect of human the effect on the environment of an urban impact on these resources; and industrial civilisation; the limited capacity of Europe’s natural the effects of leisure on the countryside. resources to sustain the demands upon Examples Individual countries may thus adopt specific them. themes of national importance and possibly select a common theme with one or more countries, e.g. To create an awareness of: the creation of a nature reserve astride a frontier. Man’s propensity to destroy his environ­ ment; NATIONAL ACTIVITIES man’s capacity to reshape the environment Bearing in mind the aims of European Conser­ —land, air, water, wild life and countryside— vation Year, and consideration of the European 1. AIR POLLUTION to his highest aspirations; Conservation Manifesto, it is suggested that the urgent need for positive and soundly specific aims for national symposia and confer­ based measures for the long-term planning, ences should be: 2. LITTER management and development of the Euro­ pean environment; To acquaint all the appropriate national inter­ ests with the basic aim of conservation. This is the contribution of the philosophy, prin­ the wise long-term planning, management and ciples and practices of conservation towards development of resources of land, air, water and creating a healthy environment and its 3. SOIL EROSION wildlife for all purposes. These include amenity potential unifying influence in Europe. research, education and recreation;

To stimulate: T o secure the agreement of all organizations for the need to achieve this aim; A sense of personal and social trusteeship for their heritage (of natural resources) T o obtain from each organisation a clear ex­ in the peoples of Europe; pression of its specific interest in, or demands on, the countryside. action in each member country on the dominant problems peculiar to its environ­ To identify those aspects: ment; on which immediate action can be taken within co-operation between the member coun­ the national, legal and financial framework; tries in bringing their knowledge and skills which require further legal and financial provi­ to bear on the solution of common and sions in order that suitable action can be taken; specific problems in the conservation of natural resources; on which further research, survey and study are necessary before specific plans can be made. the development of new objectives and methods for the detection, guidance and To consider: where necessary, control of future trends of the main national demands and their trends on human activities bearing on the quality of the countryside; the environment. the conditions necessary for long-term co­ operation in formulating and implementing pol­ Within these aims, more specific themes may icies for the countryside; be adopted to suit the geographical regions of Europe i.e. Alpine, Scandinavian Atlantic and the consultative machinery required to achieve Mediterranean. This should stimulate even greater co-operation. ACTIVITIES dl EUROPEAN CONFERENCE Proposals by the Preparatory Group Edgar Kesteloot (Belgium)

Co-ordinator European Conservation Year special attention to the prevention of damage to natural objects through, for example, erosion and Aims by invitation with the exception of national delega­ tions, which shall have the right to nominate one 1970 is to be European Conservation Year. fires (particularly common in the Mediterranean The European Conference is designed to create or two delegates to each commission within the All the Council of Europe member countries will area) and the various forms of pollution which a new awareness in Europe not only of the protec­ limits of the total membership of their delegations. be taking part, as well as Spain and Portugal, everywhere accompany industrialisation. tion but also of the development and enhance­ ment of the natural resources of the continent— The special commissions will examine general which have expressed a wish to be associated land, water, air and wildlife—with a view to the reports and proposals (including appropriate sec­ with the Year. Unofficial contacts are now being wise use of the environment. It must present a tions of the draft Manifesto) as are referred to them made with Finland and some East European Scientific Projects dynamic image of conservation theory and prac­ by the opening plenary session or by the Con­ countries. tice. This must take full account of a wide range of ference Committee, and will report thereon to the In this connection, basic studies and a pro­ The main lines of the European programme have aesthetic ethic economic and social values which final plenary session, submitting appropriate texts gramme of scientific research are to be under­ already been laid down. The chief event will be the must be reflected in the management of all natural for adoption. taken. Fresh-water conservation, soil protection European Conference in Strasbourg early in the resources. The Conference will consider not only and, in particular, the prevention of erosion seem the situation as it is today, but also future needs year, which it is hoped will provide specific guid­ to be arousing the greatest interest. While educa­ in the light of technical progress, population ance for the general policy to be followed in the tion and information are important, town and growth and social evolution. It will highlight new conservation and enhancement of the European country planning is very often the practical answer techniques through the pooling of experience, CONFERENCE THEMES environment. to the other conservation problems. Many coun­ demonstrate the need for international coopera­ tion and point the way to a Europe-wide conserva­ Land Administration tries have been giving a good deal of attention to tion policy. National Activities the protection of coasts, the preservation of Conservation of the coastline, including of wild flora and fauna or the maintenance of wetlands Coming in early Spring of European Conseva- lake shores and marine areas. The range of activities will undoubtedly be tion Year, the Conference will set the tone of through the establishment of nature parks or The farmer and the Forester in Relation to greatest at national level, although not all countries activities on the national level. The Manifesto reserves. One country, for example, has included Nature conservation; will participate to the same degree. The national to which it should give rise outlining a Conserva­ the establishment of a large national park in its programmes of some countries are at the moment tion Policy for Europe, should be discussed in programme. Thus the objective of European Con­ (early 1968) still at the initial stages of preparation, all countries participating in the Year and prepare Leisure and Tourism in the Countryside servation Year 1970 will be twofold: first, to make but plans are beginning to take shape. However, the ground for a European Conservation Con­ Problems of the second residence; each of us more aware of nature conservation the general lines of almost all countries' pro­ vention. The Conference will take place in the Traffic, outdoor recreation and sport and their problems and induce us to adopt a new attitude grammes have already been settled and can there­ Assembly Hall and Committee rooms of the head­ impact on the countryside; towards nature and, second, to initiate a wide quarters of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, fore be described in brief. range of practical projects. France. The question receiving the most attention seems Technology to be the wide one of informing and educating National and general reports Industry and the countryside; the public. All means of communication and Reclamation of eroded, including derelict, land. Two examples of nature information, particularly television and radio, will conservation used as a The Conference will debate policy and practice, be called into service. In each country the author­ not merely exchange information of a general theme for postage stamps Education, Training and Information ities concerned will send out messages to their character. To achieve this end, a series of basic fellow-citizens; addresses and appeals of all documents will be prepared by Rapporters from Training and qualifications of planners and other national reports drawn up by participating coun­ land-linked professions; kinds will go out over the air. Conference, exhibi­ tries and possibly, in certain cases, international Citizen participation in care of the countryside. tions and film shows are to be held in almost every organisations. country. Several countries have had the excellent idea of issuing one or more special stamps. An A draft Manifesto will be prepared for adoption Research and Surveys by the Conference and subsequent use as an idea which is probably more original is that of Research in the natural and social sciences on instrument of publicity in national activities within running a campaign on a specific theme, such as human impact on the natural environment; the framework of European Conservation Year. “ Trees" or "Open Spaces ", so that the educa­ Conservation economics. tional work can, on a nation-wide basis, be combin­ ed with practical action such as tree-planting, the Special Commissions The foregoing text is based on the recommendations being submitted to the European development of open spaces, or the maintenance A Commission will be set up on each of the main Committee for the Conservation o f Nature and Natural Resources and the Committee o f M inisters o f the Council o f Europe in the coming months by the Preparatory Group of nature reserves. Most countries are to give themes of the Conference. Participation will be for European Conservation Year. Details are therefore subject to change. TASKS OF THE EUROPEAN INFORMATION THE COUNCIL CENTRE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION OF EUROPE Established in Strasbourg (France) in 1949 as the first institution for overall European co-operation, the Council of Europe today 6. Exhibitions groups 18 countries. It strives for greater unity among its members The two main functions of the Centre are as to safeguard and realise their common ideals and principles and follows: 7. Posters to facilitate their economic and social progress. 8. Organisations. — to promote joint projects between interested The Council of Europe contains two main organs. The first where these media are utilised in transmitting is the 147-member Consultative Assembly, selected from national bodies in the field of nature conservation parliaments. The second is the Committee of Ministers, which information and education. the message to the man in the street. is the executive body, composed o f Ministers o f Foreign Affairs or their Deputies. — to provide a clearing house service for informa­ Apart from contributing to the harmonisation of political attitudes tion, education and publicity material which National Agencies among member countries, both in European affairs and towards would be made available to interested bodies. A National Agency has been appointed by the rest of the world, the Council runs a wide programme of inter­ each Member government to serve as the Centre's governmental co-operation. The harmonisation o f laws and- im ­ The task of the Centre is primarily to further main correspondetns in member countries. Its provement of social welfare, educational research and teacher the exchange of information relating to methods, training, promotion of exhibitions, films and cultural television, chief aim isto channel documentation and informa­ techniques and materials used in disseminating the defence of human rights through a Commission of Enquiry tion relating to national nature conservation in­ and an international court—these few examples serve to illustrate knowledge about and giving publicity to nature formation, publicity and education activities to the the wide range of the Council's activities, which have given rise conservation, i.e. to over fifty international conventions. Centre, and conversely, to disseminate information — promotion of the production of material; received from the Centre to the competent quarters — promotion of information and education pro­ in the country concerned. These functions will jects (poster campaigns, exhibitions, lectures make the National Agency a central institution etc.); for the coordination and preparation of such activities at national level. The National Agency EUROPEAN COMMITTEE — production of bibliographies, abstracts, lists may accredit other bodies carrying out activities FOR THE CONSERVATION of experts and specialized bodies, catalogues, in the field to the Centre. OF NATURE AND answering requests for information. As will be seen in the list of National Agencies NATURAL RESOURCES The Centre will also record model achievements appearing on the Back Cover they are usually and undertakings in nature conservation which The European Committee for the Conservation of Nature and closely attached to the national body responsible Natural Resources is one of the specialist bodies which assist might serve as examples to be followed by those for that country’s cooperation with the European the Committee of Ministers in this work. planning similar activities. Committee for the Conservation of Nature and In 1963, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to set up a committee, composed of national experts, to Documents should normally be supplied to the Natural Resources. advise it and propose action on all matters concerned with nature Centre in at least one of the official languages conservation. The institution of permanent inter-governmental of the Council of Europe, English and French The role of non-governmental machinery for this purpose implies a recognition of the fact that Official texts made available in another language organisations conservation problems have a European dimension and require should be accompanied by a commentary in one inter-State co-operation if they are to be dealt with effectively. With respect to the role of non-governmental of the official languages. The European Committee meets annually in Strasbourg. A organizations within the Centre, a distinction shall number of international governmental and non-governmental Information will generally be distributed by the be made between national and international organ­ organisations are invited to its meetings. Spain and Portugal, which are not members o f the Council o f Europe, are also invited Centre in the official languages. isations. Normally, only international organisa­ to send observers. The Committee has set up several Working tions shall have direct access to the Centre. Parties and expert study groups to undertake preparatory work on the various questions it is dealing with. Material Private organisations usually have the closest The European Committee's aim is “ investigation into and What the Centre wants to know is: contact with the general public. In many countries, adoption of planned action to ensure that Europe's natural resources nature conservation is carried out as much by are properly managed and are not misused or destroyed so that How does the message of Nature Conserva­ private bodies as by the State. Hence the activities Europeans may enjoy a balanced and wholesome physical en­ tion reach the public? vironment". of all non-governmental organisations likely to Therefore, information is required in con­ serve European cooperation will have to be The conclusions o f the European Committee usually take the form of recommendations to the Committee of Ministers, but the nection with: catalogued. These organisations are requested Committee is also competent to draft agreements and international 1. Campaigns (Press, Advertising, etc.) to send the Centre copies of their programmes, conventions. In general the role of the Committee may be said publications, documentary films and other educa­ to be to cause action to be taken by governments and local author­ 2. Education courses ities at national and European level with a view to improved con­ 3. Television and Radio tional or publicity material, in return for a regular servation of nature, of natural resources, and of the landscape 4. Films information service, new ideas and facilities for in Member countries. 5. Publications cooperation and exchange. NORWAY The Administration for out­ door life and nature conserva­ tion. Ministry of Labour and Municipal Affairs. Kommùnal- departmentbat. OSLO Dep. ICELAND Mr. B. K JA R A N , Chairman of the Icelandic National Council for the Protection of Nature. Hafnarstraeti 5, REYKJAVIK. SWEDEN The National Nature Conser­ vancy Board. Centralvägen 28, Box 1104, S O LN A 1. UNITED KINGDOM The National Parks Commis­ sion. 1 Cambridge Gate, Re­ gent’s Park, LONDON N.W.1. IRELAND Forestry Division. Department of Lands. 22 Upper Merrion St. BELGIUM DUBLIN 2. Service des réserves naturelles domaniales et de la conserva­ tion de la Nature auprès de l'Administration des Eaux et Forêts, Ministère de l'Agricul­ ture. 32, boulevard Bischoffs- Conseil supérieur de la nature. heim, BRUXELLES 1. Direction des Eaux et Forêts. 26, rue Philippe II, LUXEMBOURG.

FRANCE M. CO UTRO T, ing. chef génie rural des Eaux et Forêts. Chef Department de Protection de la Nature C.E.R.A.F.E.R. Mi­ nistère de l'Agriculture, B.P. 114. Saint Martin d’Heres 38. Director of the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. FED. REP. OF GERMANY NICOSIA. Professeur Dr OLSCHOWY, Direktor. Bundesanstalt für Vegetationskunde Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege. Heer­ strasse 110, 532 B A D GO DES­ BERG. TURKEY Mr. Z. BAYER, Head of Nation­ SWITZERLAND al Parks Department. Turkish Ligue suisse pour la protec­ Forest Service. Tarim Bakanligi, tion de la nature. Wartenberg- Orman Genet Müdürlügü, strasse 22, 4052 BÂLE. ANKARA.

AUSTRIA GREECE Wirkl. Hof rat Dr. Phil. Nat. H. M. P. M ARG ARO PO ULO S, Di­ HANSELY, Chef der Abteilung recteur de la Division des Re­ Landesplanung und Natur­ boisements et d’Aménagement schutz. KLAGENFURT. des bassins versants. 9, rue Kratinou, ATHÈNES 112. ITALY Professeur G. U. PA P I, chef du MALTA Bureau des Rapports Interna­ Director of Agriculture. Depart­ tionaux auprès du Cabinet du ment of Agriculture. 93, Arch­ Ministère italien. bishop Street, VALLETTA.

National Agencies of the European Information Centre for Nature Conservation