Association of German Nature Parks

The Verband Deutscher Naturparke e. V. (VDN), or Association of German Nature Parks, is the umbrella organisation of the nature parks in Germany. Founded in 1963, it brings together the bodies responsible for running the country's nature parks. Membership is open to any nature park sponsor on application; sponsors include the federal states (represented by their state administrations), special-purpose associations, registered associations and other public-law corporations. The VDN is recognised under the Federal Nature Conservation Act as an association entitled to participate in relevant proceedings. The association supports its members in establishing nature parks and developing them into model landscapes. It acts as an adviser, technical forum and source of impetus for the nature parks, publicises their tasks and achievements, represents their interests at the political level, and promotes the exchange of experience and cooperation among nature parks in Germany and Europe. Its work includes the "Qualitätsoffensive Naturparke" (Quality Initiative for Nature Parks), a voluntary instrument for continuously improving the quality of the parks' work and offerings, and the "Petersberger Programm" (Petersberg Programme), which sets priorities for the development of nature parks in the years ahead. Other current projects include "Naturparke in Deutschland – starke Partner für Biologische Vielfalt" (Nature Parks in Germany – Strong Partners for Biological Diversity), "Naturparke machen Schule" (Nature Parks Go to School) and the "Naturpark-Entdecker-Westen" (Nature Park Explorer Vests). As a membership association rather than a commercial company, the VDN operates as a coordinating, advocacy and quality-assurance body for the German nature park network. It is not a producer of consumer goods; its "offerings" are programmes, standards, advisory services and public-awareness activities that support the parks and their regional partners.

The Verband Deutscher Naturparke e. V. (VDN) was founded in 1963 as the umbrella organisation of the nature parks in Germany. From its inception, it has served as the body in which the sponsors of the nature parks have joined together. Membership can be acquired by any nature park sponsor on application; sponsors are the federal states, represented by their state administrations, special-purpose associations, registered associations or other public-law corporations. The VDN is recognised as an association entitled to participate under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. Over the decades, the association has developed from a coordinating body into a provider of quality standards and strategic programmes for the parks. It supports its members in building up nature parks and developing them into model landscapes. It functions as an adviser, technical forum and source of impetus, publicises the tasks and achievements of the nature parks, represents their interests at the political level, and promotes the exchange of experience and cooperation among nature parks in Germany and Europe. Among its best-known initiatives are the "Qualitätsoffensive Naturparke", a voluntary instrument for the continuous improvement of the quality of the parks' work and offerings, and the "Petersberger Programm", through which the VDN has set priorities for the development of the nature parks in the coming years. Further current projects include "Naturparke in Deutschland – starke Partner für Biologische Vielfalt", "Naturparke machen Schule" and the "Naturpark-Entdecker-Westen".

• 1963

  The Verband Deutscher Naturparke e. V. (VDN) is founded as the umbrella organisation of Germany's nature parks.

Umbrella association and quality-assurance body for Germany's nature parks, acting as adviser, technical forum and political advocate.

• Qualitätsoffensive Naturparke

  A voluntary instrument for the continuous improvement of the quality of the work and offerings of the nature parks.

• Petersberger Programm

  A programme through which the VDN has set priorities for the development of the nature parks in the coming years.

• Naturparke in Deutschland – starke Partner für Biologische Vielfalt

  A current project on biological diversity.

• Naturparke machen Schule

  A current project linking nature parks with schools.

• Naturpark-Entdecker-Westen

  A current project of the VDN.

1. 1Verband Deutscher Naturparke – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Verband Deutscher Naturparke – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websitenaturparke.de