Heidelberg, Hannover and Freiburg champions of Nature conservation

Energie-Cités’ members Heidelberg, Hannover and Freiburg have been awarded for nature conservation, with the highest distinction for Heidelberg as the “Federal Capital for Nature Protection 2007”. In the competition of “Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. – DUH (German Environmental Aid Association) the city asserted itself against 114 cities and towns. Heidelberg persuaded by its outstanding nature protection measures above all in the fields of species and biotope protection as well as committed public relations and environmental education.

Lord Mayor Dr. Eckart Würzner confirmed at the award ceremony: „Heidelberg wants to set an example in nature protection. Our city has committed itself for years, and in an exemplary way, to nature and environmental protection. We accept the responsibility at the local level to implement the agreements on the protection of biodiversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. A particular thank you goes especially to the nature and environment protection associations and groups in Heidelberg who have committed themselves for years to active nature protection – be it in the protection of amphibians, in securing winter abodes for bats or in the creation of nesting places for our peregrine falcons. Securing natural resources for future generations is our commonly declared goal. We should always start from this basis.

The DUH project „Federal Capital for Nature Protection” is a project Heidelberg awarded Naturschutz 2007

promoted by the Federal Agency for Nature Protection (BfN) and is supported by funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Through the competition „Federal Capital for Nature Protection” Deutsche Umwelthilfe wants to compare various nature protection measures in cities and towns. Assessed were the subjects of nature protection planning, species and biotope protection, local green spaces, waters, agriculture and forestry, public relations, environmental education, citizens’ advice and the cooperation between local authorities, citizens and interest groups.