Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Aurich
Immediately available eco-points and full-service compensation for Aurich district. greeNature develops compensation and replacement measures as well as eco-accounts according to NAGBNatSchG and the Lower Saxony biotope value method, for projects in East Frisia and nationwide.
The District of Aurich at a glance
Aurich district lies in the far north-west of Lower Saxony and forms the heart of East Frisia. At approximately 1,287 square kilometres, it is the largest district in the region by area. The district seat and administrative centre is Aurich. The district includes the North Sea islands of Juist, Norderney and Baltrum as well as a broad mainland strip between the mouths of the Ems and the open coast. Since Lower Saxony is not subdivided into administrative regions, the district administration reports directly to the state.
Geographically, the district ranges from the North Sea coast with mudflats, salt marshes and dunes (natural region D21) via the low-lying sea marshes on the Ems and coast (D25) to the gently undulating Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgischen Geest (D26). Characteristic features are the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea, extensive raised moors in lowlands and culturally significant hedgerows that are widely preserved in East Frisia as a landscape-forming element.
Ecologically significant are the Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park, the Fehntjer Tief wetland, Großes Meer near Südbrookmerland and Großes Moor near Aurich. These areas serve as breeding and resting places for meadow and migratory birds and determine, as a Natura 2000 landscape, where impacts are permissible and how compensation should be designed in a nature-appropriate manner.
Economically, the district is shaped by coastal tourism, agriculture predominantly focused on grassland, and wind energy. In Aurich, wind turbine manufacturer Enercon is based, and East Frisia is a central landing area for electricity from offshore wind farms. Expansion of wind energy and network infrastructure, coastal and transport projects as well as settlement and business development regularly trigger impacts whose compensation in Lower Saxony must be assessed according to NAGBNatSchG using a biotope value method.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D26 ›
Go to natural region D25 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea on the coast
- East Frisian islands Juist, Norderney and Baltrum with dunes, salt marshes and beaches
- Fehntjer Tief, large-scale FFH and bird protection site with wet grassland
- Großes Meer near Südbrookmerland, one of the largest inland waters in Lower Saxony
- Großes Moor near Aurich and other raised moors of the geest lowlands
- East Frisian hedgerows as landscape-forming habitat network
- Extensive wet and damp grassland as breeding and resting habitat for meadow birds
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature works nationwide and supports compensation projects throughout Lower Saxony. We assess impacts according to NAGBNatSchG using the Lower Saxony biotope value method, follow NLWKN guidance documents and coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authority of Aurich district. We take account of the special features of East Frisian coastal, marsh and geest landscape (natural regions D25, D26 and D21) from conception through implementation and management.
Typical measures in the district of Aurich
Moor restoration and rewetting
Raising water levels and removing drainage ditches in the raised moors of the geest lowlands, for example in the vicinity of Großes Moor near Aurich. Such measures secure moor-typical habitats, bind carbon and enhance the landscape from a nature conservation perspective.
Wet grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used marsh and geest land into species-rich, extensively managed damp grassland with appropriate water levels and late mowing dates as habitat for meadow birds such as northern lapwing and black-tailed godwit.
Creating and managing hedgerows
New creation, extension and professional management of East Frisian hedgerows. These structures network habitats, create stepping-stone habitats and enhance the open agricultural landscape of the geest.
Water body and ditch restoration
Development of naturally formed banks, connection of oxbows and extensive water management on Tiefs and ditches, for example in the Fehntjer Tief area, for fish, amphibians and kingfishers.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Bat quarters on buildings, replacement spawning waters for amphibians and habitat structures for sand lizards on embankments and dykes, each as an advance CEF or population-supporting FCS measure according to § 44 and § 45 BNatSchG.
Salt marshes and coastal zone
Extensification and restoration of salt marshes and forelands in the transition to the Wadden Sea, coordinated with coastal and nature conservation, as habitat for breeding and migratory birds.
Protected species in the East Frisia between the Wadden Sea and Geest
Northern lapwing and meadow birds
Northern lapwing, black-tailed godwit and redshank breed in the wet and damp grassland of marshes and geest. Rewetting, extensive grassland use and late mowing are typical CEF measures to secure their breeding sites.
About this species ›Skylark of the geest
The open agricultural landscape of the geest provides habitat for the declining skylark. Skylark strips, extensive field margin strips and flower-rich fallows support populations in construction and land use projects.
About this species ›Amphibians in moors and ditches
Moor frog, common frog and common toad inhabit moor waters, drainage ditches and alternately wet depressions. Creating new fish-free spawning waters in spatial proximity secures breeding sites in construction projects.
About this species ›Bats in villages and hedgerows
Common pipistrelle, serotine and other species use buildings, hedgerows and trees as quarters and hunting territory. Replacement quarters are required as a CEF measure according to § 44 BNatSchG when demolition or renovation occurs.
About this species ›Sand lizard on dykes and embankments
Warm, dry dyke slopes, railway embankments and sandy sites of the geest provide habitat. In construction and infrastructure projects, replacement habitats with basking sites and shelter structures are created.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Fehntjer Tief
Naturally formed water bodies and steep banks provide the strictly protected kingfisher with breeding sites. Steep bank modelling and bank restoration are proven CEF measures for water body impacts.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Wind energy and grid expansion
Wind turbine manufacturer Enercon is based in Aurich, and East Frisia is a central landing and distribution area for offshore wind power. New wind farms, transformer and converter stations and power line routes regularly create significant compensation requirements.
Coastal tourism and island infrastructure
On Norderney, Juist and Baltrum as well as on the mainland coast, tourism infrastructure, coastal and flood protection and port and transport facilities trigger impacts on sensitive coastal habitats.
Traffic and road construction
Local bypasses, the expansion of federal and state roads and bridge and cycle path projects in the district require compensation and replacement measures according to the impact mitigation regulation.
Settlement and business development
Residential construction and commercial development in Aurich, Norden and surrounding municipalities requires nature conservation compensation. Owners of grassland and arable land can contribute their land as compensation areas.
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.
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