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A future task in good hands The European Green Belt Borders separate. Nature unites! 2016 Asian ESP-Conference | Session ‘Nature for Peace’ | Ansan-si | 1 June 2016 Dr. Uwe Riecken German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) Bonn, Germany

Introduction: The Iron Curtain Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Europe after World War II: Iron Curtain:  Ca. 12 500 km  17 (now 24) states  Germany: divided into two states

… after 1989: a Green Belt Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 In Germany:  Baltic sea to the border of the Czech Republic  1393 km long  177 km2 photos: © Klaus Leidorf

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 > 12 500 km, 24 states  Wilderness areas  Water ecosystems  Cultural landscapes  Endangered species European Green Belt

Overall targets and strategy To protect the entire run of the European Green Belt as  habitat for threatened plant and animal species  refuge for endangered ecosystems  part of the pan-European ecological network  as part of the European natural heritage  part of a future World Heritage Site (still in discussion)  a living memorial of the younger European history  contribution for a peaceful future  a region for nature experience and sustainable development Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 The Green Belt practice guide, (2nd edition 2014)

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Implementation of the Green Belt  Political support  National Natural Heritage  Legal protection  and ownership  Integration into the pan-European ecological network/ closing gaps  Large scale nature conservation projects  Public relation activities §

1 a/b Ø vre- Pasvik (NOR) / Zapovednik Pasvik (RUS) 2 Urho-Kekkonen (FIN) 3 Riisitunturi (FIN) 4 a/b Oulanka (FIN) / Paanajärvi (RUS) 5 Kalewala (RUS) 6 Hiidenportti (FIN) 7 Koli (FIN) 8 Patvinsuo (FIN) 9 Petkeljärvi (FIN) 10 Valkmusa (FIN) 11 Laheema (EST) 12 Matsalu (EST) 13 Kemeri (LV) 14 Slitere (LV) 15a/b Kuřių Nerija (LV) / Kurschkaja Kossa (RUS) 16 Slowinski (PL) 17 Jasmund (D) 18 Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft (D) 19 Harz (D) 20a/b Šumava (CZ) / Bayerischer Wald (D) 21a/b Thayatal (A) / Podyjí(CZ) 22a/b Neusiedler See (A) / Fertő Hanság (H) 23 Triglav (SLO) 24 Donau-Drau (H) 25 Djerdap (SRB) 26 Skutari (MNE) 27 Prokletije (MNE) 28 Mavrovo (MK) 29 Shebenik-Jablanica (AL) 30 a/b/c/d Galicia (MK) / Prespa (AL) / Pelister (MK) / Prespa (GR) 31 Ö rség (HU) National parks /Zapovedniks along the European Green Belt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1314 151617 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 Source: BUND office Green Belt, supplemented by EuroNatur 2010, updated 2013 27 31 Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Schalsee-Landscape Drömling ST Drömling NI Elbe floodplains Green Belt Eichsfeld-Werra Valley Project ‚Rodach Valley – Lange Berge – Steinach Valley‘ Rodach Valley - Lange Berge - Steinach Valley  Projekt I: June 2010 – Nov. 2013  Projekt II: Feb. 2016 – Jan. 2026  127 km Green Belt  Core area: 82 km2  Total costs: 10.1 Mio €

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Green Belt: public relations work  media tours  touristic trade fair Munich  20th anniversary fall of the Iron Curtain  regional conferences

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Experiencing nature with all senses Remote border areas are perfect places for experiencing nature e.g., by  Feeling and smelling: walking and hiking, canoeing  Reading: signs, folders and digital information (e.g. via smartphone)  Listening: guided tours  Watching: outlooks and watchtowers  Touching: own management activities/workcamps  Inspiration: land art projects

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Green Belt of Fennoscandia I Main objectives I: Primary forests: Vodlozero National Park Lakes and rivers: Venehjärvi Lake, planned Kalvala National Park

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Green Belt of Fennoscandia II Large mammals: Brown Bear, Kuhmo district Main objectives II: Traditional cultural landscapes: Finland‘s Border Zone Biosphere Reserve (North Karelia)

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 Green Belt of Central Europe I The trans-boundary National Park Bavarian Forest/Sumava (border Czech Repuplic–Germany):

Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016 European Life Line Drava – Mura: Proposal for a transboundary Biosphere Reserve Balkan Green Belt I Drava and Mura Rivers – Threatened Ecosystems of European Importanc

 Founded in September 2014 in Slavonice, Czech Republic  24 founding members from 14 states (today: 29, incl. 3 ministrys and 5 state authorities)  national and regional GOs and NGOs European Green Belt Association Vision: The European Green Belt, our shared natural heritage along the line of the former Iron Curtain, is to be conserved and restored to function as an ecological network connecting high-value natural and cultural landscapes, whilst respecting the economic, social and cultural needs of local communities. Mission: To ensure that the European Green Belt is efficiently protected and that its sustainable development is promoted by facilitating an ongoing, coordinated transboundary cooperation at all levels and across all sectors of society. Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016

Lessons learnt The European Green Belt has an extraordinarily high value in terms of  all components of biodiversity  several ecosystem services, including • healthy and sustainably produced foods, spices etc. • carbon sequestration and climate regulation • purification of water and air • cultural, intellectual, historical and spiritual inspiration • scientific discovery  as living monument  as region for experiencing nature and history (including ecotourism and promoting sustainable regional development)  But:  the European Green Belt needs support and protection  high level of similarity to the Korean DMZ Dr. Uwe RIECKEN | BfN | Bonn | Germany | Ansan-si 1 June 2016