If you want to cut down trees or trim hedges in your garden, you should note the following:

There are tree protection statutes in two districts of Wolfsburg, namely for Rabenberg and Teichbreite. In these two districts, certain trees that are entered in a tree register may only be felled or pruned with a special permit. The tree register and the bylaws can be viewed at the Environmental Agency - Lower Nature Conservation Authority.

Trees are also protected on Steimker Berg. This district as a whole is a listed building, which means that interventions in the old tree population require prior approval. The Lower Monument Authority in the Urban Planning and Building Consulting Division (Town Hall B, Room B 325, Tel. No. 28-2720) is responsible for this.

In addition to the protected trees in the above-mentioned districts, there are also over 300 natural monuments in Wolfsburg. These trees are specially protected due to their age, beauty or rarity and can be recognized by a small triangular sign attached to the trunk with an adhesive.

All pruning work or tree felling, whether in the wild, in your own garden or in public green spaces, must always comply with the regulations on species protection. This means that no work may be carried out that significantly affects protected animal species, such as breeding birds. Before pruning a hedge, it must therefore be checked beforehand to ensure that no bird's nest with eggs or young birds is cut free or even destroyed. When felling trees, please also check for cavities or crevices that may contain bird nests, dormice or bats. If you find anything like this, please contact the nature conservation authority (05361 - 28 20 78).

Furthermore, the Federal Nature Conservation Act generally stipulates that trees (outside of forests and horticultural areas), hedges, living fences, bushes and other woody plants may not be cut or pruned between March 1 and September 30.
However, annual "careful shaping and maintenance pruning to remove growth" is permitted (in compliance with species protection - see above).

The competent authority for all questions relating to import is the:

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN)
Konstantinstr. 110
53179 Bonn

It is the licensing authority for the import and export of protected animal and plant species. Otherwise (e.g. official veterinary health certificate), please contact the veterinary office.

Further information can be found under the following links.

Anyone keeping vertebrates of specially protected species such as gray parrots, snakes, turtles and salamanders must register this. Annex 5 of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance lists the species that are exempt from this requirement.

The obligation to notify exists at:

• Start of keeping,
• Addition or departure, including death of the animal,
• Change of regular location,
• identification

The notification must state the number, species, age, sex, origin, whereabouts, location, intended use and identification of the animals.

The livestock report must be signed by the keeper and submitted in writing to the following authority:

Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Branch Office
Hanover-Hildesheim
Göttinger Chausee 76
30453 Hanover

Further information can be found under the following link.

What a nature reserve (NSG) and a landscape protection area (LSG) have in common is that a very special ordinance is passed by the city council for each protected area in Wolfsburg. The ordinance contains the purpose and objectives of protection, as well as requirements and prohibitions adapted to the area.

Landscape protection areas, in contrast to nature conservation areas, are aimed more at the general appearance of the landscape. The requirements and restrictions on use are generally less stringent than in nature reserves. In particular, all actions that change the character of the area are prohibited. Nature reserves may not be entered outside the paths. In the case of nature conservation, the use of the land is more restricted.

The current legal basis for landscape conservation areas

Federal Nature Conservation Act §26

(1) Landscape protection areas are legally binding designated areas in which special protection of nature and landscape is required

1. for the preservation, development or restoration of the performance and functionality of the natural balance or the regenerative capacity and sustainable usability of the natural assets, including the protection of habitats and habitats of certain wild animal and plant species,
2. because of the diversity, character and beauty or the special cultural-historical significance of the landscape or
3. because of its special significance for recreation.

(2) In a landscape protection area, all actions which change the character of the area or which are contrary to the special purpose of protection shall be prohibited, with special attention being paid to agriculture, forestry and fishing which are compatible with nature and the landscape, and in accordance with more detailed provisions.
The current legal basis for nature reserves

Federal Nature Conservation Act § 23

(1) Nature reserves are legally designated areas in which special protection of nature and landscape in their entirety or in individual parts is required

1. for the preservation, development or restoration of habitats, biotopes or communities of certain wild animal and plant species,
2. for reasons of science, natural history or regional history, or
3. because of their rarity, special character or outstanding beauty.

(2) All actions that may lead to destruction, damage or alteration of the nature reserve or its components or to a lasting disturbance are prohibited in accordance with more detailed provisions. Insofar as the purpose of protection permits, nature reserves may be made accessible to the general public.

Michael Kühn was appointed nature conservation officer for the area of the city of Wolfsburg.

Phone: 05363 805 655
E-mail: mkuehn3@gmx.de

The appointment by the council of the city of Wolfsburg was made for a period of 5 years (until 2022).

The nature conservation officer advises and supports the nature conservation authority in all matters of nature conservation and landscape management and promotes general understanding of these tasks. He can also be approached by all citizens on these matters.

The following nature conservation associations are recognized within the meaning of § 60 a of the Lower Saxony Nature Conservation Act:

The following nature conservation associations and clubs are active in Wolfsburg:

List of local nature conservation associations in Wolfsburg (PDF - opens in a new window - not barrier-free)

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act § 39, it is prohibited to take wild plants from their location or to use them without reasonable cause, or to cut down or otherwise destroy their stands.

In derogation of this provision, anyone may take and appropriate wild flowers, grasses, ferns, mosses, lichens, fruits, mushrooms, tea and medicinal herbs, and branches of wild plants from nature in small quantities for personal use in places that are not subject to a ban on trespassing.

Therefore, you may pick a hand bouquet, but you must make sure that no specially or strictly protected species are present. Damage to these species is punishable by a fine of up to €50,000.

Attention. Do not pick protected plants!

Habitats of specially protected animals, which include all European bird species and bat species, are protected all year round under the Federal Nature Conservation Act if they are repeatedly visited, even if there are longer periods in between (e.g. swift and bat roosts, house martin nests, stork nests).

In the case of a necessary building renovation, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority may grant an exemption from the ban on removal upon application, because this case represents a hardship not intended by the legislator. However, the exemption may only be granted by the Lower Nature Conservation Authority if the habitats are not currently occupied and replacements are created for the destroyed habitats. This is usually in the form of artificial nests, bat boxes or similar.

Whenever possible, work should be done when the Specially Protected Species will not be impacted.

Unauthorized removal or destruction of permanent habitats without a permit is punishable by fine.
In case of contamination by excrements of animals , which can be avoided e.g. by placing excrement boards, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority may not grant any exemption.

No special permit under the Federal Nature Conservation Act is required for the taxidermy of animals of specially protected or non-protected species found dead if they are used for research and teaching purposes. Compliance with hunting regulations must be observed.

Animals of strictly protected species such as kestrels and barn owls that have been found dead may only be released for taxidermy for teaching and research purposes (subject to hunting regulations) with a special permit from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority in accordance with Section 45 (7) BNatSchG.

Teaching and research purposes include, among other things

• inclusion in the biological collection of a school
• display in a museum's taxidermy collection
• possession within a private collection for natural history writing activities

Use the following link to find out whether an animal is a strictly protected species.

Species protection center in Leiferde Hauptstr. 20 38542 Leiferde Phone number: 05373 6677

According to Section 44 para. 2 no. 1 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), it is prohibited to take animals and plants of specially or strictly protected species into possession or custody, to have them in possession or custody or to treat or process them (prohibition of possession).

§ However, Section 45 (5) BNatSchG allows injured, helpless or sick animals to be taken in to be nursed back to health.

However, certain rules must be observed:

If the animals taken in are strictly protected species, the owner must notify the Lower Nature Conservation Authority.
In the case of animals that are subject to hunting rights, the persons authorized to hunt or their representatives must have given their consent to the admission. Information can be obtained by calling the service telephone number 115.

The animals must be released immediately as soon as it can be assumed that they are able to maintain themselves in freedom. If this care goal cannot be achieved, the animals must be handed in to the rehabilitator.

Here you can find out whether an animal is a strictly protected species.

Wasps are social animals. If you have a wasp nest in your garden or house, you are not allowed to remove it without further ado.
According to the nature conservation regulations (§ 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act), there is a general protection of all wild animals. It is forbidden to disturb wild animals unnecessarily, to catch, injure or kill them.
This protection also includes the animals' habitats, i.e. wasp nests.

Accordingly, wasp nests may only be removed if there is a justifiable reason for doing so, e.g. if there is a risk to small children or allergy sufferers.

Some wasp species and hornets as well as bumblebees and wild bees are particularly strictly protected due to their rarity. The nests of these species may only be removed with a special permit from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority (Environmental Agency). Priority must always be given to leaving the nest in place. Only if this is not possible for compelling reasons may the animals be relocated to another location (e.g. forest). If this is also not possible, the Environmental Agency will decide whether to kill the animals.

The wasp officer of the Lower Nature Conservation Authority, Mr. Behrens (email: nobehns@web.de), provides advice on matters relating to wasp and hornet protection. Citizens who do not have internet access can also contact Mr. Behrens on 0151-14039548. Advice is provided free of charge.

The removal or killing of strictly protected species (e.g. hornets) by the fire department or its representatives is subject to a charge. Pest control companies can also remove nests and kill the animals. The necessary special permit from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority is also subject to a fee.