The DBU Heritage GmbH is a 2007 founded subsidiary of the German Environmental Foundation . It is managed in the legal form of a limited liability company and is the owner of around 70,000 hectares of national natural heritage , spread over 71 properties in ten federal states. The national natural heritage comprises a total of around 156,000 hectares, mainly former military training areas and post-mining landscapes , which the federal government is gradually handing over to foundations, nature conservation associations and the states in order to secure them permanently for nature conservation . The areas are looked after and developed in accordance with nature conservation guidelines and thus preserved for future generations.
The DBU subsidiary intends to maintain and promote structural diversity and the wealth of native animal and plant species with the Federal Forests division of the Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks . The open land created by military exercises is preserved through regular maintenance as a retreat for rare species. Near-natural mixed deciduous forests can develop into new wilderness without human influence . Species-poor coniferous forests are first gradually transferred to near-natural forests and then left to develop naturally. Wetlands and bodies of water are ecologically upgraded and preserved by restoring the natural water balance.
In selected areas that do not pose a threat from previous military use, nature is made tangible for residents and visitors through targeted visitor guidance and various environmental education offers.
Surfaces
The following areas have been transferred to the administration of DBU-Naturerbe GmbH as DBU natural heritage areas:
