EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the day before Europe Day, the greatest-ever nature communication initiative, rolls into action. 55 of Europe's top nature photographers embark on 90 assignments to 44 countries.

The mission: To reveal the amazing natural heritage of Europe and to inspire a desire to save it.

"It is all about love and passion. We want to touch the emotions of our 700 million fellow Europeans, and to re-connect them with their Natural Heritage. We will celebrate the comeback of Europe's wildlife and the little-known Natura 2000 conservation effort, which has helped this success. We will also spotlight some serious challenges for Europe's biodiversity. Finally, we will provide some answers to the deeper question "What is Europe?"

Staffan Widstrand, Photographer, Sweden, Managing Director, Wild Wonders of Europe

"We fully support this unique initiative. It aims at strengthening our affinity and association with our natural richness and diversity, and at recognising our nature and landscape as part of the defining elements of European identity."

Ladislav Miko, Biodiversity Director of the European Commission

"It is easier to defend something that you know about and that you love. Everyone knows about endangered exotic species, but very few know about the declining species on our doorsteps."

Vincent Munier, WWE-Photographer, France

Follow news, blogs, galleries, interviews and reports from the photographers: http://www.wild-wonders.com

Wild Wonders of Europe is made possible through partnerships with high-quality businesses, organisations and public agencies.

Partners & Sponsors: Epson, National Geographic Magazine, WWF-International, Nikon Europe, Bayard Presse, SanDisk, Co+Life, Nature Picture Library, PolarQuest, Noble Caledonia, Conservation International, ILCP, UNEP, EEA, IUCN, The Wild Foundation, Countdown 2010, Eazyfone, Flatanger Kommune Norway, Norway Nature, Wild Taiga Finland, Kuusamo Lapland, VisitFinland, Visión Salvaje, AEFONA, Fotonatura.org, Naturapics.com

Free Press images in the Press Room at http://www.wild-wonders.com, if published together with reports about us, our web address is mentioned and the photographer's by-line is published beside the image.

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Contact: Staffan Widstrand Managing Director Mobile: +46(0)70-657-33-24 Phone: +46(0)8-583-518-31 staffan@wild-wonders.com Florian Möllers Communications Director Mobile: +49(0)170-937-57-89 Phone: +49(0)5471-30-910-86 florian@wild-wonders.com

Contact: Staffan Widstrand, Managing Director, Mobile: +46(0)70-657-33-24, Phone: +46(0)8-583-518-31; staffan@wild-wonders.com, Florian Möllers, Communications Director, Mobile: +49(0)170-937-57-89, Phone: +49(0)5471-30-910-86, florian@wild-wonders.com