Federal Association for Proper Nature, Animal and Species Protection

The Bundesverband für fachgerechten Natur-, Tier- und Artenschutz e. V. (BNA) is a German nationwide umbrella organisation of animal and plant keepers. It was founded in January 1985 in Cologne by nine associations that primarily represented breeders and keepers of animals and plants. Today it describes itself as the voice of animal and plant keepers, bundling the interests of its member organisations and representing them at state, federal and European Union level. The BNA is a registered association (eingetragener Verein) and is recognised as an association under § 29 of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz). It also advocates, like other nature conservation associations, for active nature, animal and species protection. According to its own information, 17 associations and their affiliated clubs are organised within the BNA, with around 4,000 individual members. Member organisations cover a broad spectrum of animal and plant keeping and breeding: from bird breeding and falconry to herpetology and terrarium keeping, small mammals, orchids, and species conservation. Among the listed member associations are artgerecht e. V. – Berufsverband Deutsche Straußenzucht, Aviornis International Deutschland, the Bundesarbeitsgruppe Kleinsäuger, Deutscher Falkenorden (DFO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Lebendgebärende Zahnkarpfen, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT), Gesellschaft für Arterhaltende Vogelzucht e. V. (GAV), Gesellschaft für Tropenornithologie (GTO), Internationale Gesellschaft für Regenbogenfische e. V., Interessengemeinschaft für Artenschutz u. Erhaltungszucht exotischer Vögel Estrilda, Orchideen-Gesellschaft Kurpfalz e. V., Orden Deutscher Falkoniere (ODF), Verband Deutscher Falkner (VDF), Verband deutscher Waldvogelpfleger und Vogelschützer e. V. (VDW), Verband Gemeinnütziger Tier- und Vogelparks, ViVe vivaristische Vereinigung e. V., World Pheasant Association (WPA), and Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz e. V. (ZGAP). The association provides practical services for keepers, including the BNA-Sachkunde (expertise) concept, BNA training folders, the § 11 permit, and marking materials under the German Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) such as leg rings and transponders, as well as a proof book and accessories. It also runs the websites bna-sachkunde.de and wisia.de. The BNA organises training events, such as further education for animal and bird parks, and publishes a newsletter covering topics like amendments to the animal welfare act, CITES conferences, and positive lists. Its presidency has included Walter Grau (1985–2011 as vice president, 2011–2016 as president) and Gisela von Hegel (president from 2016), with honorary presidents Bernd Schmidbauer and Karl-Heinz Spitzer.

The Bundesverband für fachgerechten Natur-, Tier- und Artenschutz e. V. (BNA) was founded in January 1985 in Cologne by nine associations that primarily represented breeders and keepers of animals and plants. From its beginnings, the BNA functioned as an umbrella organisation, bringing together associations active in keeping, breeding and conservation of animals and plants. Over the decades, the BNA grew into a recognised representative body. It is a registered association (eingetragener Verein) and an association recognised under § 29 of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz). It sees itself as the voice of animal and plant keepers, bundling the concerns of its member organisations and representing them at state, federal and European Union level. It also advocates, like other nature conservation associations, for active nature, animal and species protection. According to its own information, 17 associations and their affiliated clubs are organised within the BNA, with around 4,000 individual members. The member associations span a wide range of interests: artgerecht e. V. – Berufsverband Deutsche Straußenzucht, Aviornis International Deutschland, Bundesarbeitsgruppe Kleinsäuger, Deutscher Falkenorden (DFO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Lebendgebärende Zahnkarpfen, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde (DGHT), Gesellschaft für Arterhaltende Vogelzucht e. V. (GAV), Gesellschaft für Tropenornithologie (GTO), Internationale Gesellschaft für Regenbogenfische e. V., Interessengemeinschaft für Artenschutz u. Erhaltungszucht exotischer Vögel Estrilda, Orchideen-Gesellschaft Kurpfalz e. V., Orden Deutscher Falkoniere (ODF), Verband Deutscher Falkner (VDF), Verband deutscher Waldvogelpfleger und Vogelschützer e. V. (VDW), Verband Gemeinnütziger Tier- und Vogelparks, ViVe vivaristische Vereinigung e. V., World Pheasant Association (WPA), and Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz e. V. (ZGAP). Leadership has evolved over time. Walter Grau served as vice president from 1985 to 2011 and then as president from 2011 to 2016. Gisela von Hegel became president in 2016. Kurt Landes and Gerhard Emonds served as vice presidents. Bernd Schmidbauer and Karl-Heinz Spitzer are honorary presidents. In addition to its advocacy work, the BNA provides practical services for keepers. These include the BNA-Sachkunde (expertise) concept, BNA training folders, guidance on the § 11 permit, and marking materials under the German Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) such as leg rings and transponders, as well as a proof book and accessories. It operates the websites bna-sachkunde.de and wisia.de. The association organises training events, including further education for animal and bird parks, and publishes a newsletter covering topics such as amendments to the animal welfare act, CITES conferences, and positive lists. It is also listed in the Lobbyregister of the German Bundestag.

• 2026

  BNA Newsletter 02/2026 covers amendment of the animal welfare act, CITES CoP 20 results, and morph breeding in terrarium keeping.

• 2026

  BNA training for animal and bird parks 'Wissen für Parks – Vögel II' scheduled for 10 October 2026.

• 2016

  Gisela von Hegel becomes president.

• 2011

  Walter Grau becomes president (until 2016).

• 1985

  BNA founded in January 1985 in Cologne by nine associations representing breeders and keepers of animals and plants.

• 1985

  Walter Grau begins serving as vice president (until 2011).

Umbrella association and voice of animal and plant keepers in Germany, recognised under § 29 Bundesnaturschutzgesetz.

• BNA-Sachkunde

  Expertise concept and training folders for keepers.

• BArtSchV marking materials

  Leg rings and transponders according to the German Species Protection Ordinance.

• Proof book and accessories

  Documentation materials for keepers.

1. 1Startseitebna-ev.de
2. 2Bundesverband für fachgerechten Natur-, Tier- und Artenschutzwikidata.org
3. 3Bundesverband für fachgerechten Natur- und Artenschutzde.wikipedia.org