The partnership between Nationale Naturlandschaften e. V., the Michael Succow Foundation and the Eberswalde University of Sustainable Development covers a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience and creates an ideal basis for innovative strategies to support and develop biosphere reserves.

Profile of partners:

 

Nationale Naturlandschaften e. V.

The non-profit organization Nationale Naturlandschaften e. V. was founded in 1991 by protected areas from the
old and new federal states in order to coordinate and harmonise the work of these areas beyond national
boundaries. Over 25 years of work have resulted in a broad expert knowledge on all questions relating to National Natural Landscapes and their management. The aim of Nationale Naturlandschaften e. V. is to bring together experts and interested parties from national parks, nature parks, biosphere reserves, wilderness areas and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to coordinate positions and to realize projects for the benefit of the National Natural Landscapes and could be further expanded and strengthened.
Thus, the umbrella organization lends a common voice to the national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks and wilderness areas and strengthens their awareness.
The association formulates standards for quality management requirements, provides services for protected areas and citizens, and also serves as a forum for exchanges with policy makers, environmental associations and the media.

 

Die Michael Succow Foundation (MSS)

The Michael Succow Foundation is an operational foundation for nature conservation and sustainable
development. The purpose of the foundation is the practical promotion of nature and environmental protection as well as of science, research and education. The Foundation‘s goals are implemented primaraly by:

  • Support and develop protected areas with focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites and National Parks on national and international level;
  • Development and promotion of model regions for sustainable development, with focus on UNESCO biosphere reserves;
  • Cultivation of international cooperation in nature protection and ecology;
  • Nature-conservation oriented science and research;
  • Promotion of a sustainable and socially responsible landuse.

The founder has worked for the German MAB National Committee for over 25 years and is the coinitiator of numerous biosphere reserves in Germany. Development of biosphere reserves as model regions for sustainable management plays an essential role in the work of the Succow Foundation. The range of activities includes potential analyzes and feasibility studies for biosphere reserves, the creation of nomination documents and the preparation and monitoring of new establishment biosphere reserves- as well as advice on better implementation of the MAB concept in existing and cross-border biosphere reserves and the organization of international exchange and study tours for biosphere practitioners.
The foundation brings together expertise and experience that has been used not only in Germany, but also
in the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Central and Central Asia, Iran, Myanmar and Ethiopia, leading to the establishment of dozens of biosphere reserves. The Board of Trustees, with its internationally renowned experts in the field of Man and Biosphere, plays a decisive role.

 

Eberswalde University of Sustainable Science (HNEE)

 

 

 

 

Since its founding in 1992, the Eberswalde University of Sustainable Development has been committed to
the concept of „Nature with Man“. As documented in the 2013 principles for the sustainable development of the university, sustainable development is understood as an integrative concept: Man is part of the global ecosystem and its functional integrity is the basic prerequisite for all human life and economic activity. These principles are consistent with the MAB program priorities identified in the MAB Strategy 2015-2025.

The university consists of four disciplines:

  • „Forest and Environment “;
  • „Landscape Management and Nature Conservation“;
  • „Wood Engineering “ and
  • „Sustainable Business“

The team of colleagues from the four disciplines unites competence providers on almost every facet of sustainable development processes. A focus in teaching and research lies on the sustainable development of rural areas and regions, which however can only be understood in the complex context of globalized material and energy flows as well as corresponding socioeconomic processes. Biosphere reserves as model regions for modern nature conservation and sustainable (rural) value creation have been the focus since the foundation of the HNEE. The spatial proximity to prominent biosphere reserves in Germany was and is also very conducive. The university takes a prominent place within the framework of the monitoring of biosphere reserves. Specialized university center with experience in biosphere reserves support and promote the partnership in a concrete manner.