Palatinate Forest: Nature without Borders
The German-French Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve
The Biosphere Reserve - Origin
In 1992, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the Palatinate Forest Nature Park as the 12th German biosphere reserve because of its exemplary characteristics and added it to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In this context, the Palatinate Forest plays an essential role in the global preservation of biodiversity and in the world’s sustainable use of natural resources.
In 1998, this region became the German part of the trans-boundary German-French Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve.
The Biosphere Reserve - Objectives
Biosphere reserves contribute to preserving natural resources, preventing environmental pollution, and raising awareness of environmentally responsible behavior. The objective is to establish and ensure a long-term harmonious coexistence of people and nature through designated development and subsidy programs, research, environmental monitoring, and the establishment of a general understanding of the environment.
Together with the people who live and work in the biosphere reserve, this is intended to develop and implement exemplary and sustainable concepts for the reserve’s protection, maintenance and promotion.
The Biosphere Reserve - A Living and Working Environment
The biosphere reserve is a cultural landscape that humans have shaped over generations. It is the foundation and lifeline for forestry industries, agriculture, viniculture and tourism. The reserve serves not only as an essential water reservoir and source of fresh air, but also as an important and central recreational area for the entire region. It is a high quality life environment for its residents and an ideal habitat for its diverse flora and fauna.
