Forests and grasslands near Burbach and Neunkirchen
This EU Special Protected Area is home to a variety of endangered animal and plant species. It is the only Special Protected Area in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein and protects among other species, the largest population of whinchat in the federal state of North-Rhine Westphalia. In addition, numerous other endangered bird species such as the Black Stork, Honey Buzzard, Red Kite, Corn Crake, Boreal Owl, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Eurasian Kingfisher, Black Woodpecker, Gray-headed Woodpecker, Middle-spotted Woodpecker and Red-backed Shrike occur in the area. Rare butterfly species like the Violet Copper can also be found here. As part of the LIFE project, various valuable forest and grassland habitats will be created and optimized to promote these endangered species.
Valuable cultural landscapes
Many valuable and species-rich habitats in Central Europe are cultural landscapes - habitats that were created by human management and can only be preserved today through management or maintenance measures. Examples of such cultural landscapes are Nardus-grasslands, lowland and mountain meadows, heaths, but also historical forms of forest use such as coppice with standards and so-called “middle forests” all found within the EU special protected area. As these are of cultural origin, extensive management should explicitly be promoted in the area.
Europe-wide responsibility
The EU Special Protected Area and its seven integrated EU Special Areas of Conservation have been put under EU-wide protection as part of Natura 2000 network. These areas aim to protect certain plant and animal species, as well as habitats that are rare throughout Europe. The EU-LIFE program contributes to the preservation of species and habitats within the Natura 2000 network by financing and promoting nature conservation measures.
Landscapes of the Siegerland
The Siegerland is characterized by a variety of different land use types and landscape structures. Vast forested areas alternate with grasslands, which in turn are partly interspersed with wooded structures like hedges, bushes, riparian woodlands along small rivers. In particular, agricultural land use in our region still shows low levels of intensification. Many of the areas are therefore of great importance for habitat and species conservation with a high number of rare animals and plants that can only survive here.
