German nature foundations fund habitat protection and biodiversity projects

Environmental foundations in Germany are expanding efforts to protect natural habitats and biodiversity. In the Höxter district, the NRW-Stiftung has provided a funding package of up to 320,000 euros to facilitate the purchase and ecological development of land near the ‘Buchenwald bei Bellenberg’ nature reserve in Steinheim-Ottenhausen. Combined with state funds from North Rhine-Westphalia, the total funding reaches up to 500,000 euros. The project aims to improve biological connectivity for various species, particularly amphibians such as the common toad, grass frog, and the endangered European tree frog.

In the Ries region, the Rieser Naturstiftung reported a successful period following a significant endowment from a private bequest. The foundation and its affiliated entities, including the Dr. Hans Mattern-Stiftung and the Gerda Schupp-Schied and Hansjörg Schupp-Stiftung, have utilized earnings and donations to fund landscape maintenance. These efforts include the care of nutrient-poor grasslands in areas such as Holheim, Ederheim, Hürnheim, and Schmähingen, as well as habitat enhancement at the Kleiner Hühnerberg near Kleinsorheim.