Butterfly Conservation Europe

Butterflies and moths are declining seriously in most countries across Europe. Action is needed urgently at a European level to halt their decline and restore a countryside rich in butterflies, moths and other wildlife. Organisations and friends in various countries across Europe have therefore come together to form Butterfly Conservation Europe.

Lycaena ottomana: a threatened butterfly in Europe, restricted to the Balkan peninsula. Foto: Chris van Swaay.

This exciting new initiative was started in November 2004 in a collaboration between Butterfly Conservation (UK), Dutch Butterfly Conservation and several other countries. BC Europe will act as an umbrella organisation both to stimulate and co-ordinate conservation action for butterflies, moths and their habitats across Europe. It is not a membership organisation, nor a charity, but a legal entity registered in The Netherlands that operates through Network Partners and individuals in each country.

We are honoured that Sir David Attenborough has agreed to become the Patron of BC Europe. “I whole-heartedly support the formation of Butterfly Conservation Europe at this critical time and wish them every success in conserving these beautiful creatures for future generations to enjoy”

Main areas of work to be planned:

• Coordinating and stimulating recording and monitoring programmes. Visit our online recording scheme: http://www.butterfly-recording.eu 
• Enabling the exchange of information amongst Network Partners and other agencies
• Providing a central point to obtain advice on the management of threatened species and their habitats
• Encouraging research to identify practical solutions and improve land use policies
• Working with partner organisations and like-minded groups to achieve shared aims
• Encouraging everyone to cherish butterflies and moths, in their gardens, parks, farms and within urban areas.
• Promoting butterflies, moths and their habitats, and providing educational and training opportunities

How you can help:

1. Register your organisation’s interest in helping the work of BC Europe via info@bc-europe.eu.
2. Participate in BC Europe projects. These will be posted in due course on this website, together with updates on progress.
3. Help raise funds for BC Europe and its projects, either directly or by remembering us in your will. Please contact us by email for advice.
4. Support the local and regional Network Partners covering your area, and other local conservation groups, and contribute to survey or monitoring programmes.
5. Help promote the value of butterflies, moths and their habitats as indicators of environmental change and the quality of life.

To download a pdf of  the BC Europe leaflet click here: www.bc-europe.org/upload/Leaflet_v2.pdf  (1 MB).