Planning is one of the key factors in making inspection more transparent, systematic and effective. Criteria for how often Natura 2000 sites should be inspected to ensure sufficient contribution to the maintenance of the favourable status of the site are various and differ from country to country.
During its former work on the item, IMPEL identified the need for a planning tool for inspections and defined criteria which would manage the frequency of inspection at protected sites (with focus on Natura 2000 sites). If possible, the tool will also store data collated through inspections over the long term in order to be used by inspection authorities for the purposes of evidence and long term trends in nature protected sites change and setting policy. The option of using the IMPEL IRAM-Tool was considered, and shown as able to be further developed for the purpose. The tool is called IRAM for Nature (NIRAM). It is very flexible and can be adjusted to the needs of different countries.
During the workshop that will be carried out in Celje (24 – 26 September 2019), the NIRAM tool will be tested on selected Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia. The results of a desktop assessment will then be verified through joint inspections of two sites in the host country.