Designation of Natura 2000 sites is only the beginning of a process through which these sites are actively conserved. Each EU member state is obliged to establish conservation measures for these sites and management planning is often considered as the best approach for identifying and implementing such measures.

The main objective of management plans is to protect and conserve the wide range of habitats and species for which these areas are protected. However, management plans also aim to strike a balance between nature conservation and human use of protected areas, by outlining the activities which can be held in the Natura 2000 sites and indicating any requirements in order to safeguard the environment. Key to the successful drawing up of such plans is full stakeholder involvement at all times during the management planning process.