Bundesamt für Naturschutz

Wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention

Wetlands are some of the most diverse and also most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Lakes and rivers, peatlands and marshes, coral reefs and mangrove forests are not only worth protecting as habitats for rare and threatened animal and plant species, they also provide vital ecosystem services for humans. When healthy, they supply fresh water and food, improve water quality, protect us from natural disasters such as floods and, as long-term carbon sinks, play a far greater role in protecting the climate than all other types of ecosystems. more

UNESCO Natural World Heritage

As a state party to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Germany has committed to conserving natural and cultural heritage assets of “outstanding universal value”. BfN advises BMUV in implementing the Convention at both national and international level. As part of bilateral cooperation activities, BfN assists other states in implementing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The focus of this work includes identifying suitable areas, preparing nominations for their designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and assisting local-level capacity building. Projects are financed, for example, via the advisory assistance programme run by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). more

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are model regions that link sustainable development and nature conservation. The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme ensures further development of biosphere reserves, evaluates them and connects them to create a global network of biosphere reserves. more

Nature Awareness

The public surveys on Nature Awareness are a study series conducted in a two year cycle by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. The study series is representative for the German public and deals with people´s opinions and awareness towards nature, nature conservation and biological diversity. Study results are of importance for conservation policy, environmental communication and reporting requirements on the national (National Strategy on Biological Diversity, chapter B5 - Public Awareness) and international level (Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 13 - Public Education and Awareness). more

Capacity building

An important focus of the International Academy for Nature Conservation Isle of Vilm (INA) is the transfer of specialised knowledge and methodological skills. With various training sessions and courses, we want to qualify nature conservation actors for their work in nature conservation and enable committed experts to expand their knowledge of current topics and instruments of international nature conservation. more

The economy

Economic aspects also play an important role in nature conservation. Work in nature conservation economics analyses the relationships between nature conservation objectives and measures on the one hand and the activities, needs and values of industry and society on the other so as to place nature conservation in an economic perspective. more

International cooperation

Nature does not recognise political borders. This applies to the distribution of plants and animals, and to many of the challenges faced in environment protection and nature conservation. Cooperation at international level is thus vital in finding solutions to common nature conservation problems. more

The Nagoya Protocol

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an instrument used in international nature conservation. As the name suggests, it regulates access to genetic resources and provides that the beneficial results arising from their use be shared. more
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