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        Our commitment: avoiding, minimising and compensating environmental and social risks

        Key tool: The external Communication and Grievance Mechanism more →

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        NABU's rehabilitation facility for injured wildlife in Kyrgyzstan

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        Find out where and how NABU is active in Africa

        Find out where and how NABU is active in Africa more →

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        NABU implements nature conservation projects in Southeast Asia and Central Asia

        NABU is active in Southeast Asia and Central Asia more →

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      • Make Peatlands Wet Again
        A project to restore and manage peatlands in Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and Germany

        This project restores and manages peatlands in five European countries more →

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        For an eco-friendly agriculture

        For an eco-friendly agriculture in Europe more →

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        Hoping is not enough more →

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  • Slider-Bild
  • Slider-Bild
  1. Topics
  2. Protected areas
  • Protected Areas
  • AfriBirds
  • Lake Tana
  • Green change
  • Biosphere Reserves
  • Offshore wind study
  • Sheka and Yayu
  • Tajikistan
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Protected Areas


Protected areas are clearly defined geographical spaces that are recognised, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN Definition 2008). The designation and effective management of protected areas is a key instrument for protecting habitats and biodiversity.

In order to ensure that the protected areas are internationally comparable, IUCN has defined 6 protection categories. The classification of areas into these categories is based on their respective management objectives. Beyond that, there are further national and international protected area concepts.

NABU supports the creation, establishment and effective management of protected areas as part of our international activities, not exclusively but with special emphasis on UNESCO biosphere reserves. The latter are characterised by both integrative and segregative approaches.

NABU has been supporting the set-up and/or management of four biosphere reserves in Ethiopia (Kafa Biosphere Reserve, Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve, Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve) and is supporting the unique sites with large scale conservation projects.

Find our protected areas below.


OUR PROJECTS

A home garden with various kinds of plants, including dwarf bananas - photo: Putze

Green Change

Women and youth for social and ecological transformation

The project Green Change builds the resilience of people and nature in times of climate crisis. Our work in the Yayu Biosphere Reserve supports sustainable land use, the planting of old varieties and the empowerment of women and youth through generated income. more →

Mangroves in Madagascar - Photo: Adobe Stock / Punchthanun

Green coasts for Madagascar

Nature conservation and sustainable resource use

The protected area Mahavavy-Kinkony in Madagascar suffers from degradation of its coastal ecosystems. NABU and ASITY Madagascar joined forces supporting communities for restoring ecosystems, improving livelihoods and responding to the impacts of climate change. more →

Endangered beauty: the Banggai cardinalfish is endemic to the Banggai Archipelago and threatened by overfishing and habitat loss. - photo: mirecca/ adobe.stock.com

Sustainable fisheries management

Livelihoods and marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle

The marine biodiversity of the Coral Triangle is threatened by overfishing and habitat degradation. We support coastal communities of the Banggai Islands to secure their livelihoods through sustainable fishing practices in line with the Marine Protected Area. more →

Wild coffee beans.

Coffee-novation

Green diversification of Ethiopia’s garden coffee value chain

Kafa Biosphere Reserve is challenged by the lack of sustainable employment and innovation for green development and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The project aims at structuring the up to now non-commercialised garden coffee value chain. more →

Local women at Lake Tana - photo: Philipp Schütz

Sustainable water, sustainable lives

Empowering Lake Tana communities

The ecosystem faces severe strain from population growth, climate change, and industry. NABU Ethiopia's initiative addresses these challenges by enhancing regional sustainability and conservation through collaborative, community-driven efforts. more →

Vögel am Tanasee - Foto: Bruno D/'Amicis

AfriBiRds

African Biosphere Reserves as pilot sites for monitoring and conservation of migratory birds - completed project

NABU and BirdLife International have joined to implement the AfriBiRds project that will support African biosphere reserves in establishing an effective long-term monitoring and raise the awareness on birds’ conservation. more →

Foto: Friedrich zur Heide

Lake Tana

Protecting and developing the Lake Tana region - completed project

NABU working in close cooperation with the Ethiopian government, the Michael Succow Foundation, many other local partners and organisations as well as with local communities, is supporting the protection of the unique environment around Lake Tana and promoting sustainable development in the region. more →

The pristine and unexploited forests of the Sheka Biosphere Reserve. Its rivers and waterfalls are potential destinations for ecotourist - Photo: NABU/Mathias Putze

Sheka and Yayu – NABU’s expertise

Biosphere reserves are natural or cultural landscapes recognised by UNESCO as model regions for sustainable development. They balance conservation and land-use interests, as humans depend on intact ecosystems and their services. more →

Construction of the Baltic 1 offshore wind farm - photo: NABU/ Andreas Fußer

How to expand offshore wind and protect nature

NABU study reveals potential areas, conflicts and solutions

Offshore wind energy is a vital part of the energy transition. By 2045, its capacity is expected to increase ninefold in German waters. But where to place all the wind farms? A NABU study shows how to choose sites that are compatible with nature conservation. more →

Pipe delivery for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in October 2016 in Mukran on the island of Rügen. Photo: Nord Stream 2 / Axel Schmidt

Pipeline passing marine protected areas?

Nord Stream 2 will cause damage to sensitive ecosystems

The ecology of the Baltic Sea is in bad shape, as typical habitats are under threat or have already completely disappeared. According to the current plans, Nord Stream 2 will pass through five protected areas, despite there being no urgent need for an increased gas supply. more →

Protected areas IN-DEPTH

Horn bills in the Ethiopian morning mist - photo: Abdurazak Sahile

Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO biosphere reserves are natural or cultural landscapes serving as model regions for sustainable development. Biosphere reserves are particularly well suited to balancing exploitation by humans and nature conservation efforts on a sustainable basis.

read more

Where we work

  • Europe
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  • Caucasus
Where we work: Europe, Africa, Asia, Caucasus
Where we work: Europe, Africa, Asia, Caucasus Where we work

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