Bavaria designates almost 60,000 hectares as natural forest.
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.
- 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
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 releaseFrankfurt 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)
11/15/2024NewsIn Memory of Professor Dr. Manfred Niekisch (1951 – 2024)
The Frankfurt Zoological Society mourns the loss of its Vice President Professor Dr. Manfred Niekisch.
09/12/2024Press release
Dr. Andhani Widya Hartanti receives the KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Award 2024
09/12/2024Press releaseDr. Andhani Widya Hartanti receives the KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Award 2024
The KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Award 2024 goes to two heroes in conservation: Dr. Andhani Widya Hartanti from Indonesia and Hercilía Chipanga from Mozambique.


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

Bavarian Forest National Park grows by 600 hectares.

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

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

Foundation of Hunsrück National Park.

FZS Wilderness in Germany project starts work.

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

Establishment of the Brandenburg Wilderness Foundation.