Partner-Initiatives in Germanys UNESCO Biosphere Reserves GUIDO PUHLMANN AND DR. FRAUKE DRUCKREY Partner-Initiatives in Germanys UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

Introduction Partner-initiatives are cooperations between the administration of a protected area and local companies. Partner companies see themselves as ambassadors of their protected areas. They are committed to the protection of nature and climate and support the aims of their protected areas. Therefor they are allowed to use the term “Partner” as well as the official logo of the protected area which gives them a benefit in terms of marketing. EUROPARC DEUTSCHLAND | NATIONALE NATURLANDSCHAFTEN

Protected areas with partner-initiatives In Germany there are 23 partner- initiatives from the wadden sea in the north to the Swabian Albs in the south. In total the protected areas have more than 900 partners such as hotels and restaurants, transportation and excursion companies and numerous other providers of tourist services.  9 of the 16 Biosphere Reserve in Germany are involved in the partner-initiatives. EUROPARC DEUTSCHLAND | NATIONALE NATURLANDSCHAFTEN

High quality and environmental standards Every officially awarded partner company has to fulfill high quality and environmental standards which are very similar throughout Germany. For example the standards require that the companies been able to inform their guests about their protected area. They also have to participate in regular trainings and use regional products whenever possible. ©Paul Behrens EUROPARC DEUTSCHLAND | NATIONALE NATURLANDSCHAFTEN

Contact For further questions please contact: Guido Puhlmann (Director) Biosphärenreservat Mittelelbe guido.puhlmann@bioresme.mlu.sachsen-anhalt.de Dr. Frauke Druckrey f.druckrey@googlemail.com ©Paul Behrens EUROPARC DEUTSCHLAND | NATIONALE NATURLANDSCHAFTEN