FACE was represented at the “From science to action” workshop on strategic planning for the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N), held in Brussels in January 2026 under the EU-funded NaturaConnect project. FACE Senior Conservation Manager Cy Griffin participated alongside policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to discuss how scientific evidence can be translated into practical, on-the-ground action to strengthen Europe’s ecological networks.

The two-day workshop focused on how the TEN-N concept, as set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, could be implemented in a way that is coherent, effective and realistic across diverse national and regional contexts. Discussions covered spatial planning, ecological connectivity, governance and implementation challenges, with an emphasis on ensuring that policy ambitions are grounded in robust data while remaining workable for land managers and local stakeholders.

FACE’s participation underlined the importance of early and meaningful engagement with hunters and land managers in the development of large-scale conservation and connectivity initiatives. FACE highlighted that Europe’s protected area network already benefits significantly from the conservation efforts of the hunting community, including habitat management, biodiversity monitoring and predator management.

This contribution is evidenced in the FACE Biodiversity Manifesto, which shows that a substantial proportion of FACE-supported conservation projects are implemented within protected areas. FACE will continue to engage constructively in EU-level discussions on TEN-N to ensure that conservation objectives build on existing good practice and are aligned with sustainable use, active management and long-term social acceptance across Europe’s diverse rural landscapes.