Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is a European ecological network of protected areas, defined by the Member States of the European Union. The project's purpose is to preserve biotic diversity by protecting the habitants of endangered animal and plant species. In 2004, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia established Natura 2000 sites by the Decree on Special Protection Areas. 15.6 % or 1,179.78 ha of the territory of the Municipality of Jesenice is Natura 2000 area. A part of the territory of the Municipality of Jesenice is covered by three areas.

The area of the Karavanke (Code: SI3000285, size 841.46 ha) in the Municipality of Jesenice covers the ridge from Dovška Baba to Hruški vrh, Rožca, Klek, Velika Golica and to Mala Golica and from Korenščica and Struška to Vajnež and Stol. Endangered animal species include the butterflies Lorkovic's Brassy Ringlet and Jersey Tiger, as well as the beetle Rosalia longicorn and the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. Lady's slipper orchids, Zois' bellflower, and Marsh Gladiolus are all endangered plants. There are also many habitat types. Part of the Natura 2000 area is also in the Julian Alps (Code: SI5000019, size 337.2 ha), which includes the Triglav National Park area to the northern edge of Mežakla. This is the habitat of griffon vulture, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, hazel grouse, wood grouse, Eurasian pygmy owl, Bucelleni-Ruard Manor, common kingfisher, black woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker, whinchat, rufous-tailed rock thrush, red-breasted flycatcher, red-backed shrike, ptarmigan, black grouse and rock partridge. The dam of the Hydroelectric power station Vintgar is in the area of Radovna in Sr. Radovna (Code: SI3000133, size 1.12 ha). The river is home to European bullhead fish.