Cross-linking the Green Belt

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz - BfN) are supporting an extensive project to cross-link the inner-German Green Belt with 4.36 million Euros. The Department Green Belt of BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. - Friends of the Earth Germany) successfully submitted a project application to the German Federal Programme on Biological Diversity (administrated by the BfN): „Cross-linking Green Belt”.

In September 2019, during the 12th Nature Conservation Days of the BUND at the Elbe River at Lenzen Castle Dr. Uwe Riecken of BfN handed the funding approval to the BUND-chairman Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger. © Jörg Farys

Aim of this project is the linkage of the Green Belt with neighbouring or nearby areas of high ecological value or of good development prospects. In five linking-up-areas distributed along the Green Belt Germany measures for conservation and improvement of habitats shall be made - all together with landowners, farmers and local residents. Especially the intensive and supporting cooperation with farmers will be focused. 

Particularly pleasing is the transboundary location of one project area at the border between Bavaria and Czech Republic, in which the European Green Belt model municipality Haidmühle is situated. Through ongoing public relations and numerous events to join in the public's acceptance and support for conservation measures shall be reached. In total, the six-year project covers more than 5.8 million Euros, of which 4.36 million Euros are funded by the BfN. The remaining amount comes from BUND and the Bavarian Nature Conservation Fund. Project management is taken over by the BUND Department Green Belt together with four partners from all sections within the BUND.

Contact: Dr. Liana Geidezis, BUND Department Green Belt and Dr. Uwe Riecken, BfN.