A place for wilderness in Germany

There is great demand for more wilderness. Many animals, plants, and fungi depend on having large contiguous habitats where natural processes can take place undisturbed. Humans, too, feel a need to experience nature in its wild form – in places that are within easy reach. Germany offers a wide range of fascinating landscapes – from its coasts in the north to the Alps in the south. However, the country is densely populated and criss-crossed by roads. This makes it all the more pressing to preserve the last remaining intact natural landscapes for future generations.

And it is why we are supporting the creation of new wilderness areas on former military training grounds in Brandenburg and Thuringia. We are advising our partners there and providing funding for the local wilderness projects by supporting land purchases, for example. In the Wispertaunus region in Hesse, we are safeguarding natural forests close to Frankfurt am Main by linking up existing protected areas within the forest.

We have launched the Wildnis in Deutschland (“Wilderness in Germany”) initiative which gives us considerable leverage with regard to political decision-making. The alliance of 20 conservation organizations also pools its information and experience in managing wilderness areas. We coordinate activities and provide advice, especially to smaller initiatives that are campaigning for wilderness areas in their local region.

Our work in Germany

  • We establish and extend protected areas
  • We advise and support wilderness initiatives
  • We influence decision-makers
  • We finance and mediate the purchase of wilderness areas
  • We train young nature conservation professionals
  • We support wilderness research

News from Germany

  • 10/10/2025News

    Michael Brombacher receives the IUCN Fred Packard Award 2025

    10/10/2025News

    Michael Brombacher receives the IUCN Fred Packard Award 2025

    A lifetime of field-based leadership and impact is honored with one of conservation’s highest recognitions. We are proud to announce that Michael Brombacher, Head of the Europe Department at Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), has been selected as a 2025 recipient of the Fred Packard Award by the IUCN World Commission … Read more

  • 04/24/2025Press release

    Frankfurt Conservation Award 2025 (Bruno H. Schubert-Preis) goes to FZS Project Leader Ha Thang Long from Vietnam

    04/24/2025Press release

    Frankfurt Conservation Award 2025 (Bruno H. Schubert-Preis) goes to FZS Project Leader Ha Thang Long from Vietnam

    Frankfurt, April 24, 2025 — In its 42nd year, the Bruno H. Schubert Foundation is awarding one of Germany’s most prestigious environmental prizes—the Frankfurt Conservation Award (Bruno H. Schubert Preis)—this evening in Frankfurt. The award in the category of “Applied Conservation” goes to Ha Thang Long, PhD, who leads the … Read more

  • 11/15/2024News

    In Memory of Professor Dr. Manfred Niekisch (1951 – 2024)

    11/15/2024News

    In Memory of Professor Dr. Manfred Niekisch (1951 – 2024)

    The Frankfurt Zoological Society mourns the loss of its Vice President Professor Dr. Manfred Niekisch.

Our projects in Germany

Milestones

Kellerwald-Edersee National Park expanded by approximately 2,000 hectares.

2020

Bavarian Forest National Park grows by 600 hectares.

2020

Wilderness in Germany initiative publishes “Wegweiser zu mehr Wildnis” (“Guide to More Wilderness”).

2017

Hesse designates large areas of natural forest e.g. in Wispertaunus.

2016

Foundation of Hunsrück National Park.

2015

FZS Wilderness in Germany project starts work.

2014

Start of the large-scale Hohe Schrecke nature conservation project.

2009

Establishment of the Brandenburg Wilderness Foundation.

2000

Contact

Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt von 1858 e.V.
Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1
60316 Frankfurt

Telephone: +49 (0)69 - 94 34 46 0
Fax: +49 (0)69 - 43 93 48
E-Mail

You will find our office in the Zoogesellschaftshaus (1st floor).
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