Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Kassel
Immediately available eco-points and compensation areas in Kassel district, assessed under the Hessian compensation ordinance (KV) via habitat value method. greeNature operates nationwide and is your full-service partner for impact mitigation, species protection and CEF measures between Reinhardswald, Habichtswald and Kassel Basin.
The District of Kassel at a glance
Kassel district lies in northern Hesse and belongs to the administrative region Kassel. At around 1,293 square kilometres it almost completely surrounds the independent city of Kassel, which remains an enclave in the south-east and is also the administrative seat of the district. Approximately 231,000 people live in 11 towns and 17 municipalities. Largest towns are Baunatal and Vellmar, with other significant places being Hofgeismar and Wolfhagen.
Geographically the district is divided into two BfN natural regions. The majority belongs to the West Hessian Bergland (D46) with Habichtswälder Bergland, West Hessian Depression and Kassel Basin. The forested ridges in the north and east, especially the Reinhardswald and Kaufunger Forest, belong to the Upper Weser Bergland (D36). The defining watercourses are the Fulda and Diemel, which run through the basin landscapes.
Ecologically significant are the extensive beech and oak forests of Reinhardswald with their old pasture and cavity trees, as well as the basalt domes and chalk grassland of Habichtswald. Numerous areas are FFH and bird protection sites, part of the European Natura 2000 network, including forests near Zierenberg and Habichtswald. The Reinhardswald and Habichtswald nature parks underscore the nature conservation value of the region.
Economically the district is shaped by industrial areas around Kassel, such as the large vehicle plant in Baunatal, as well as the Kassel airport at Calden, commercial and logistics sites and intensive agriculture and forestry. Wind energy projects on the ridges, expansion of transport routes like A7 and A44, settlement and commercial development and raw material extraction regularly create impacts requiring compensation under Sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG via the habitat value method of the Hessian compensation ordinance.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D46 ›
Go to natural region D36 ›
Go to natural region D47 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Reinhardswald Nature Park in the north with old beech and oak forests and ancient pasture trees
- Habichtswald Nature Park with basalt domes of volcanic origin and Hoher Dörnberg
- FFH sites such as forests near Zierenberg and Habichtswald as part of Natura 2000
- Species-rich chalk grassland at Hoher Dörnberg, created by centuries of grazing
- Fulda and Diemel as defining watercourses of the basin landscapes
- Unincorporated Gutsbezirk Reinhardswald as one of Hesse's largest closed forest areas
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and manages compensation projects in Kassel district. We are familiar with the habitat value method of the compensation ordinance (KV) that is decisive in Hesse, eco-account practice and coordination with the lower nature conservation authority of the district. For impacts between Reinhardswald, Habichtswald and Kassel Basin, we develop tailored compensation, replacement and CEF measures in the forests, grassland and floodplains of natural regions D46 and D36.
Typical measures in the district of Kassel
Near-natural forest conversion
Conversion of low-structure conifer plantations to native beech and oak forests in Reinhardswald and Habichtswald as well as promotion of deadwood and veteran trees. Such measures upgrade forest habitats and can be expressed in eco-points using the KV habitat value method.
Chalk grassland and grazing
Maintenance and restoration of species-rich chalk grassland, for example at Hoher Dörnberg, through extensive sheep and goat grazing and scrub removal. These open sites host rare plants and insects and secure the favourable conservation status of associated FFH habitat types.
Floodplain restoration on Fulda and Diemel
Removal of bank defences, reconnection of oxbows and near-natural watercourse development on the Fulda, Diemel and their tributaries. This creates steep banks, shallow zones and riparian woodland as habitat for kingfisher, fish and amphibians.
Traditional orchards, hedgerows and habitat networks
Establishment and management of traditional orchard meadows, field hedgerows and extensive grassland in the West Hessian Depression. These structures link habitats in open countryside and create stepping-stone habitats for birds, bats and insects.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Pre-implemented and population-supporting measures under Sections 44 and 45 BNatSchG, such as replacement habitats for sand lizard on slopes and railway embankments, bat roosts in forests and buildings, and sunny replacement breeding waters for amphibians.
Small water bodies and wet habitats
Creation of sunny breeding waters, pools and alternating-wet depressions in floodplains and forest edge areas. Such wet habitats secure amphibian and dragonfly breeding sites and increase landscape structural diversity.
Protected species in the North Hesse between Reinhardswald and Habichtswald
Black stork in Reinhardswald
The extensive, disturbance-free broadleaf forests of Reinhardswald with their streams and forest pools count among the breeding areas of the wary black stork. Retention of old nest trees, disturbance-free forest areas and near-natural forest waters secure its populations in forestry and construction projects.
About this species ›Wildcat in large forest areas
Reinhardswald and Kaufunger Forest are among the distribution centres of the European wildcat in Hesse. It requires structured forests with deadwood, windthrow and undisturbed refuges. Retention of forest edges and habitat networks is essential for its movements.
About this species ›Bats in beech forests
Bechstein's bat, large mouse-eared bat and other species use the old beech forests with tree cavities as roosts and hunting areas. All species are strictly protected (Annex IV FFH Directive), replacement roosts as CEF measures are required for felling, demolition and renovation.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse in forest and hedgerow
The strictly protected hazel dormouse inhabits structured, berry-rich forest edges, scrub and hedgerows. For felling and vegetation loss, retention of connecting structures and establishment of new woodland habitats as pre-implemented measures are needed.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Fulda and Diemel
Near-natural bank sections with steep banks provide the strictly protected kingfisher with breeding sites. For water impacts, steep bank modelling and bank restoration are typical CEF measures.
About this species ›Sand lizard on grassland and railway embankments
On grassland, slopes and railway embankments, the sand lizard is a frequent target species for infrastructure and settlement projects. Replacement habitats with basking, egg-laying and refuge sites are standard in species protection compensation.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Wind energy on the ridges
Wind energy projects are planned and implemented on the forested ridges of the district, including in Reinhardswald. New construction and repowering create impacts and often require species protection assessments and FCS measures for wind-sensitive species.
Industry and commerce in Kassel's surroundings
The large vehicle plant in Baunatal, Kassel airport at Calden and commercial and logistics sites lead to land sealing and require nature conservation compensation, which is assessed using the KV habitat value method.
Transport infrastructure
Expansion and renovation of motorways A7 and A44, federal and state roads and bypasses trigger compensation and replacement obligations. greeNature determines the requirements and allocates them to suitable natural regions and sites.
Settlement development
Residential and commercial areas in growing suburbs around Kassel and in Baunatal, Vellmar and Fuldatal lead to impacts on soil and landscape. Landowners can profit here as site providers for compensation.
From enquiry to monitoring
Contact and enquiry
Tell us your compensation requirement and the natural region. We check availability.
Offer and advice
A transparent offer covering measure types, scope and availability.
Coordination with authorities
Full coordination with the lower nature conservation authority. We handle everything.
Long-term monitoring
Permanent securing of the land, management and documentation across the contract term.
Eco-points in adjoining districts
All about eco-points
in the district of Kassel
Request eco-points in the district of Kassel
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Kassel.