Bundesamt für Naturschutz

If you are looking for a job at the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), or in the civil service in general, you should have a look at the vacancies section (Stellenangebote) at www.bfn.de or at www.interamt.de, which contains a wealth of information on openings at a wide range of public authorities. more

Founded in 1906, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) library is the biggest and oldest nature conservation library in Germany. In addition to the main library at BfN headquarters in Bonn, there is also a branch in Leipzig. more

The use of genetic engineering in farming and forestry poses risks for nature and nature conservation. Thus, under both EU and German law, a risk assessment must be conducted prior to the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) so as to determine their effects on nature and the environment. By contributing its environment protection and nature conservation expertise, BfN plays an active role in the GMO approval process. more

Consideration has to be given to various formal matters with regard to the enforcement of nature conservation law. These include the jurisdiction of the respective authorities and the procedures to be followed. The authorities responsible for enforcing nature conservation law are outlined here. With few exceptions, enforcement of nature conservation law is seen to be the sole responsibility of the German Länder (states). This applies even in cases involving the enforcement of federal law such as the Federal Nature Conservation Act. This section also includes public announcements and other information published by BfN, including administrative acts and legally prescribed consultation procedures, and other information concerning the enforcement of nature conservation law. more

The following is an overview of the legal instruments governing nature conservation. Nature conservation and landscape management are central societal tasks in which a broad range of legal monitoring and control instruments come into play. While protected areas place specific components of nature and the landscape under protection, species conservation serves to preserve individual animal and plant species independent of protected areas. In addition, nature conservation impact mitigation provisions aim to secure and maintain the functional capacity of the natural environment and the appearance of the landscape beyond specific protected areas. Added to this are planning instruments, especially landscape plans, in which regional and local-level goals and objectives of nature conservation and landscape management are specified and the requirements and measures needed to achieve them described and substantiated. Finally, effective nature conservation requires the involvement of volunteers, which is why associations and organisations enjoy both consultation rights and rights to take legal action where certain administrative procedures are concerned. more

Put together by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), this compilation on nature conservation law provides external links to important international agreements and conventions covering nature conservation and landscape management. In international law, the main focus is placed on regulating the relationships between different countries. Among the most important sources of legislation are international agreements that are ratified by the respective parties or signatory states. No other area of environmental law is so strongly shaped by international provisions as EU and German nature conservation law. more

Put together by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), this compilation on nature conservation law provides external links to important EU regulations and directives. The European Union is both founded in law (primary law) and generates law (secondary law). Primary law consists of the constituting treaties of the European Union. Secondary law is the legislation created by EU institutions, notably regulations and directives. Regulations are binding in all of their constituent parts and thus apply directly in each of the member states. Conversely, directives are merely binding as to the result to be achieved, which is why they have to be transposed into national law by the member states. At EU level, it is largely directives that drive the development of nature conservation law.   more

Put together by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), this compilation on nature conservation law provides external links to important federal and Länder (state) laws. The primary legal basis for nature conservation and landscape management in Germany is the Federal Nature Conservation Act, which is supplemented by the Federal Ordinance on the Conservation of Species and the Federal Compensation Ordinance. These regulate nature conservation and landscape management comprehensively and directly in numerous areas. However, in some areas, the individual Länder may issue supplementing rules and regulations on specific aspects and even apply Länder-specific derogations. In addition to national legislation, it is therefore also necessary to take Länder-level acts and statutory instruments into account. more