Developing a European Coastal Dune Management Network

An informal network of European sand dune conservation managers and researchers has existed since a conference in Leiden, the Netherlands in 1987. At the European Symposium ‘Coastal Dunes of the Atlantic Biogeographical Region’ held in Southport, England, during 1998, the sand dune community met again and reaffirmed its presence. This event identified the benefits of sharing experience of conservation practice through a European network of common interest in coastal dune management. To this purpose and with the support of the EUCC-The Coastal Union, a first step was taken to develop a European Coastal Dune Management Network at the Littoral 2004 conference, Aberdeen, Scotland during September 2004. The developing network aims to promote sustainable use and share experience of conservation practice in coastal dune management amongst a distinctive and yet diverse community. The Dunes and Estuaries 2005 conference provides an opportunity to develop the Network as a platform that will benefit European coastal dune management.