Apply for designation as a biosphere reserve

Biosphere reserves are large, representative areas of natural and cultural landscapes which are divided – according to the degree of human influence – into core zones, buffer zones and transition zones.

In biosphere reserves, exemplary concepts for conservation, management and development are to be devised and implemented in collaboration with the people who live and work there. From the outset, biosphere reserves have been model regions for sustainable development. They are ideally suited to becoming such regions in the context of addressing the impacts of climate change. Biosphere reserves also serve to study human-environment relationships, carry out ecological monitoring, promote regional development (including tourism) and provide environmental education.

As one of the first two biosphere reserves in Germany, the Steckby-Lödderitzer Forest Nature Reserve was recognised by UNESCO as early as 1979. It is the cradle of what is now the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve.