EuroNatur

EuroNatur – Stiftung Europäisches Naturerbe (written EuroNatur) is a German non-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of Europe's natural heritage. It was founded in 1987 on the initiative of three major German environmental organisations: the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) and the Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU). Its headquarters are in Radolfzell, Germany. The foundation describes its mission as protecting endangered species and valuable habitats throughout Europe, believing in the harmonious coexistence of people and nature, cooperating across borders, and supporting local people in their calls for change. EuroNatur's work centres on large carnivores such as wolves, brown bears and lynx, on endangered migratory birds, and on valuable natural and cultural landscapes. A key approach is to connect people and nature so that projects for the protection of endangered wildlife and their habitats can succeed in the long term. The foundation is strongly engaged in the European Green Belt initiative, which aims to preserve the natural values of the former Iron Curtain as a corridor of habitats with exceptional biodiversity through international cooperation. Since 2004 EuroNatur has coordinated conservation activities along the Balkan Green Belt, the southernmost section of the European Green Belt. Rather than building its own structures in project areas, EuroNatur cooperates with private and volunteer conservationists on the ground. It brings together scientists, conservationists, farmers, politicians and entrepreneurs across borders, with a particular emphasis on the Balkans. It contributes to the planning and implementation of large protected areas and develops science-based species protection projects for wolves, bears, lynx and migratory birds. It also offers workshops, seminars and training programmes to promote the exchange of useful experience and knowledge on wildlife protection in Europe, and conducts political lobbying within the European Union. The foundation is financed through donations, third-party funds and income from its endowment capital, and it carries the DZI donation seal. It awards the undotated EuroNatur Prize (since 1993) and the title European Stork Village (since 1994). Together with the NaturVision film festival, the magazine Natur and the infrastructure and utility company Gelsenwasser, EuroNatur organises the 'Naturschätze Europas' photography competition, whose results are summarised annually in the 'Faszination Natur' exhibition and which determines the motifs of the EuroNatur calendar. EuroNatur is a member of the Deutscher Naturschutzring (German League for Nature, Animal and Environment Protection). Since 1 January 2020 Thomas Potthast has been president of the foundation. From October 2011 to the end of 2019 Christel Schroeder was president, and from January 2008 to early July 2011 Hartmut Vogtmann served as successor to Claus-Peter Hutter. Gabriel Schwaderer is the managing director. The foundation also owns the Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder), a bat hibernation site of 1.34 hectares that it has owned since 2003 and which is one of the largest and most important winter quarters for bats in Brandenburg and Germany.

EuroNatur – Stiftung Europäisches Naturerbe was founded in 1987 on the initiative of three major German environmental organisations: the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) and the Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU). It was established as a foundation (Stiftung) with its seat in Radolfzell, Germany, and its purpose was to support nature conservation projects across Europe. From its early years the foundation focused on preserving Europe's natural heritage in all its diversity. Its projects centred on wild animals such as wolves, brown bears, lynx and endangered migratory birds, as well as valuable natural and cultural landscapes. A guiding principle was to connect people and nature in order to achieve long-term success in protecting endangered wildlife and their habitats in Europe. A major strand of EuroNatur's work has been the European Green Belt initiative, which seeks to preserve the natural values of the former Iron Curtain as a corridor of habitats with exceptional biodiversity through international cooperation. Since 2004 EuroNatur has coordinated conservation activities along the Balkan Green Belt, the southernmost section of the European Green Belt. The foundation has also been strongly engaged in the wider organisation of the entire initiative. In 2003 EuroNatur acquired the Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder), a ruined brewery cellar of 1.34 hectares that is one of the largest and most important winter quarters for bats in Brandenburg and even in Germany. The site had already been designated as an FFH area (Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder), 0.25 ha) in 2000 and is a designated nature reserve. More than 30 bat species have been recorded there, most notably the Greater Mouse-eared Bat (Großes Mausohr), for which the ruin is currently the largest known winter quarter in Germany. Over the decades the foundation has developed a distinctive way of working: rather than building its own structures in project areas, it cooperates with private and volunteer conservationists on the ground. It brings together scientists, conservationists, farmers, politicians and entrepreneurs across borders, with a particular emphasis on the Balkans. It contributes to the planning and implementation of large protected areas and develops science-based species protection projects for wolves, bears, lynx and migratory birds. To promote the exchange of useful experience and knowledge on wildlife protection in Europe, it offers workshops, seminars and training programmes, and it conducts political lobbying within the European Union. The foundation is financed through donations, third-party funds and income from its endowment capital, and it carries the DZI donation seal. It awards the undotated EuroNatur Prize (since 1993) and the title European Stork Village (since 1994). Together with the NaturVision film festival, the magazine Natur and the infrastructure and utility company Gelsenwasser, EuroNatur organises the 'Naturschätze Europas' photography competition; the results are summarised annually in the 'Faszination Natur' exhibition, which can be seen in various locations, and the motifs of the EuroNatur calendar are determined through this competition. EuroNatur is a member of the Deutscher Naturschutzring. Leadership of the foundation has changed over time. Claus-Peter Hutter was an early president; from January 2008 to early July 2011 Hartmut Vogtmann served as his successor. From October 2011 to the end of 2019 Christel Schroeder was president. Since 1 January 2020 Thomas Potthast has been president of the foundation. Gabriel Schwaderer is the managing director.

• 2020

  Thomas Potthast becomes president on 1 January 2020.

• 2011

  Christel Schroeder becomes president (October 2011), serving until the end of 2019.

• 2008

  Hartmut Vogtmann becomes president (January 2008), succeeding Claus-Peter Hutter.

• 2004

  EuroNatur becomes coordinator of conservation activities along the Balkan Green Belt, the southernmost section of the European Green Belt.

• 2003

  EuroNatur acquires the Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder), 1.34 ha.

• 2000

  The Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder) is designated as an FFH area (0.25 ha).

• 1994

  EuroNatur begins awarding the title European Stork Village.

• 1993

  EuroNatur begins awarding the undotated EuroNatur Prize.

• 1987

  EuroNatur – Stiftung Europäisches Naturerbe founded on the initiative of BUND, DUH and NABU; seat in Radolfzell, Germany.

A cross-border, science-based and cooperative nature conservation foundation focused on Europe's natural heritage, especially the Balkans and the European Green Belt.

• European Green Belt initiative

  Preservation of the natural values of the former Iron Curtain as a biodiversity corridor through international cooperation.

• Balkan Green Belt coordination

  EuroNatur has coordinated conservation activities along the southernmost section of the European Green Belt since 2004.

• Large carnivore protection

  Science-based species protection projects for wolves, brown bears and lynx.

• Migratory bird protection

  Projects for endangered migratory birds and their habitats.

• EuroNatur Prize

  Undotated prize awarded since 1993.

• European Stork Village

  Title awarded since 1994.

• Naturschätze Europas photography competition

  Organised with NaturVision film festival, the magazine Natur and Gelsenwasser; results shown in the Faszination Natur exhibition and used for the EuroNatur calendar.

• Fledermausquartier Brauereikeller Frankfurt (Oder)

  A 1.34 ha bat hibernation site owned by EuroNatur since 2003, one of the largest and most important in Brandenburg and Germany.

1. 1EuroNatur Stiftung - Naturschutz in Europaeuronatur.org
2. 2Fotos und ihre Geschichten - EuroNatureuronatur.org
3. 3EuroNaturwikidata.org
4. 4Euronaturde.wikipedia.org