Biological Association for the Protection of Nature Hunte Weser-Ems

The Biologische Schutzgemeinschaft Hunte Weser-Ems e.V. (BSH) is a nature and species conservation association based in Wardenburg, in the Landkreis Oldenburg of Lower Saxony, Germany. It was founded in 1976 by biologists from the University of Osnabrück's Vechta department and has since grown into a statewide recognized environmental association. Under § 63 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz) and § 3 of the Environmental Appeals Act (Umwelt-Rechtsbehelfsgesetz), the BSH is entitled to participate in all planning approval procedures in Lower Saxony, giving it a formal role in environmental decision-making. The association manages approximately 150 hectares of protected areas between the North Sea and the Dümmer lake. Its work covers a broad spectrum of conservation activities: creating and maintaining biotopes such as orchards, forests, ponds, and raised bogs; installing and monitoring nesting aids for birds and bats; maintaining nature experience trails; publishing accessible information on conservation topics; and organizing eco-markets, environmental days, conferences, lectures, and excursions. It also conducts regular environmental education projects and cooperates with several schools in the region, as well as with the environmental education center in Vrees (Emsland), which it co-founded. The BSH is one of three sponsoring associations of the Ökologische Station Naturschutzring Dümmer and sits on the advisory board of the Ökologische Station Raddetäler. It is also a cooperation partner of the Ökologisches Kompetenzzentrum Oldenburger Land. The association's voluntary board consists of seven people; since 2024, Christiane Lehmkuhl, a retired biology teacher and nature conservation officer in the Landkreis Vechta, has served as chair. In 1983, the BSH gave rise to the Naturschutzverband Niedersachsen e.V. (NVN), with which it shared office space for several decades. On the BSH's initiative, the national umbrella organization Naturschutzforum Deutschland e.V. (NaFor) was founded in 2001. The association maintains a business office at Gartenweg 5 / Ecke Kugelmannplatz in Wardenburg, open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays, and accepts donations to support its conservation work. It also maintains a social media presence and a website at bsh-natur.de.

The Biologische Schutzgemeinschaft Hunte Weser-Ems (BSH) was founded in 1976 by biologists from the University of Osnabrück's Vechta department. From its beginnings, the association focused on nature and species conservation in the region between the North Sea and the Wiehengebirge, in what is now Lower Saxony. In 1983, the BSH gave rise to the Naturschutzverband Niedersachsen e.V. (NVN), a state-level nature conservation association with which it maintained a shared office for several decades. This period marked the BSH's growing influence in regional conservation policy. On the initiative of the BSH, the national umbrella organization Naturschutzforum Deutschland e.V. (NaFor) was founded in 2001, further extending the association's reach beyond Lower Saxony. Over the years, the BSH expanded its practical conservation work, managing approximately 150 hectares of protected areas, including orchards, forests, ponds, and raised bogs. It also became involved in environmental education, co-founding the Umweltbildungszentrum Vrees in the Emsland and cooperating with local schools. The association is recognized under § 63 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and § 3 of the Environmental Appeals Act, granting it the right to participate in all planning approval procedures in Lower Saxony. It is one of three sponsoring associations of the Ökologische Station Naturschutzring Dümmer and sits on the advisory board of the Ökologische Station Raddetäler. It also cooperates with the Ökologisches Kompetenzzentrum Oldenburger Land. In 2024, Christiane Lehmkuhl became chair of the association, succeeding previous leadership. The BSH continues to organize events, publish information, and maintain its office in Wardenburg, where it also hosts exhibitions such as the planned photo documentation '50 Jahre BSH' in 2026.

• 2026

  Planned photo documentation '50 Jahre BSH' to be shown at the BSH office.

• 2024

  Christiane Lehmkuhl becomes chair of the BSH.

• 2001

  On BSH initiative, Naturschutzforum Deutschland e.V. (NaFor) founded as national umbrella organization.

• 1983

  Naturschutzverband Niedersachsen e.V. (NVN) emerged from the BSH; shared office for decades.

• 1976

  Founded by biologists of the University of Osnabrück, Vechta department.

Statewide recognized nature conservation association in Lower Saxony, focused on practical biotope protection, environmental education, and public participation in planning procedures.

• Biotope creation and maintenance

  Creation and care of orchards, forests, ponds, and raised bogs.

• Nesting aids for birds and bats

  Installation, monitoring, and maintenance of nesting boxes.

• Nature experience trails

  Maintenance and expansion of trails for public nature experience.

• Environmental education projects

  Regular projects in cooperation with schools and the Umweltbildungszentrum Vrees.

• Publications and information

  Regular accessible writings on various conservation topics.

• Events and excursions

  Eco-markets, environmental days, conferences, lectures, and excursions.

1. 1BSH Homepage - Homebsh-natur.de
2. 2Biologische Schutzgemeinschaft Hunte Weser-Ems - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Biological Association for the Protection of Nature Hunte Weser-Ems - Wikidatawikidata.org