On the invitation of the Forestry Agency Schleiden, approx. 60 km west of Bonn, the CMS Secretariat visited the area of the first National Park in the western part of Germany to be set up in January 2004. In the hilly region of the Eifel, 10 000 hectares of State owned forests and an abandoned military training camp will be dedicated to a protected area for endangered animal and plant species in accordance with the criteria set up by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The future National Park is located in the centre of the natural range of beech forests in Europe close to the borders of The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Officers of the District Forestry Agency responsible for the establishment of the National Park introduced the CMS team into the philosophy of National Parks that leaves the natural dynamic of ecosystems untouched. Nature studies of the hiking trails not yet accessible to visitors showed the difference between natural forest and the impact of man and animals on vegetation. This man-made landscape with lakes, valleys and forests offer various recreation activities. Now it is protected without being submitted to artificial management measures. A boat trip on the lake, deer crossing hiking trails is part of the experience of the dual concept of both recreation and nature protection.

This National Park offers important habitats to migratory animals, in particular birds. These are an indispensable part of ecosystems linked together in Europe. Located on the intercontinental flyway of migratory birds, the National Park constitutes a breeding or staging site of growing importance for birds migrating between Northern or Western Europe and their wintering quarters in Africa.

This nature experience in the field being replenishment to daily conservation work in the office will further enhance CMS’ commitment to the conservation of wild animals and their habitats.