Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Grafschaft Bentheim
Eco-points available immediately from officially recognised eco-accounts. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for compensation under Lower Saxon nature conservation law (NAGBNatSchG) in Grafschaft Bentheim district.
The District of Grafschaft Bentheim at a glance
Grafschaft Bentheim district lies in the far south-west of Lower Saxony and borders the Netherlands (the provinces of Overijssel and Drenthe) along a long stretch, as well as North Rhine-Westphalia to the south. Lower Saxony is not divided into administrative regions. The district seat and largest town is Nordhorn, and the district is defined by the valley of the Vechte, which runs through it from south to north-west towards the Netherlands.
In natural region terms, Grafschaft Bentheim belongs almost entirely to the BfN unit Dümmer Geest Lowland and Ems-Hunte Geest (D30). The landscape is shaped by shallow-groundwater valley sand plains, remnants of fen and raised bog, inland dunes, and the push moraines of the Uelsen Heights. In the south, the Bentheimer Berg rises as a sandstone ridge, carrying the Bentheimer Wald, an extensive old deciduous forest.
Of ecological importance are the transitions between heathland, bog, sandy calcareous grassland and the Vechte floodplains. The designated Natura 2000 and protected areas include the Bentheimer Wald FFH site, the Itterbecker Heide, the Gildehauser Venn, the Syen Venn, and bog and heath areas such as the Heseper Moor and Engdener Wüste. These habitats are highly significant for the nature conservation assessment of impacts and the selection of suitable compensation areas.
Economically, the district is shaped by logistics at the A30/A31 motorway junction (Schüttorfer Kreuz), oil and gas extraction in the Emlichheim and Osterwald area, ground-mounted photovoltaics, and raw material extraction (sand, gravel, Bentheim sandstone). These projects, together with residential and commercial development, regularly generate a compensation requirement under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with Lower Saxony's implementing law.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D30 ›
Go to natural region D34 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Bentheimer Wald FFH site, an extensive old oak-beech forest on the Bentheim sandstone ridge
- Itterbecker Heide, one of the largest contiguous sand heaths in south-western Lower Saxony, partly protected as an FFH site
- The Vechte valley, a defining river floodplain with remnants of riparian woodland, wet meadows and a habitat network extending towards the Netherlands
- Remnants of raised and fen bog such as Syen Venn, Heseper Moor and Gildehauser Venn, with bog-typical species
- Engdener Wüste, an extensive outwash plain and heathland complex with inland dunes and calcareous grassland
- The Uelsen Heights, push moraines with warm, dry sites and an ancient cultural landscape
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and works in Grafschaft Bentheim consistently in line with Lower Saxon nature conservation law. We assess impact and compensation using the habitat value procedure (eco-points) based on the NAGBNatSchG and the relevant NLWKN guidance documents, and coordinate every step with the district's lower nature conservation authority.
Typical measures in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim
Floodplain restoration on the Vechte
Reconnection of oxbows, development of riparian woodland and wet meadows in the Vechte valley, and enhancement as habitat for meadow-breeding birds, amphibians and aquatic species, delivering a high habitat value gain.
Heathland and sandy calcareous grassland management
Restoration of open sand heaths and calcareous grassland through scrub removal, sod-cutting and extensive grazing, for example around the Itterbecker Heide and Engdener Wüste.
Bog and wetland habitat development
Rewetting of drained bog remnants and creation of small water bodies and shallow pools as spawning habitats, including for the great crested newt and moor frog.
Forest conversion and new afforestation
Development of site-appropriate mixed deciduous forests with oak, beech, hornbeam and black alder, and enrichment of old and dead wood structures around the Bentheimer Wald.
Hedgerows and habitat network
Creation of wall hedges, field copses and field margins in the cleared Geest farmland, forming stepping-stone habitats between heathland, bog and the Vechte valley.
Species protection with CEF measures
Advance compensation measures under § 44 BNatSchG, such as sand lizard habitats on sandy soils, bat roosts in old timber, and nest boxes for farmland birds.
Protected species in the Bentheim country between the Vechte valley, bogs and heathland
Black stork
The low-disturbance Bentheimer Wald, with its old deciduous stands and damp streams, offers potential habitat for the black stork. Projects near the forest must take into account nest protection and the safeguarding of undisturbed foraging waters.
About this species ›Northern lapwing
The northern lapwing breeds on open wet and arable land in the Vechte valley and on the Geest. Grassland extensification, the creation of shallow pools and adapted management timing are typical measures to secure this endangered meadow-breeding bird species.
About this species ›Skylark
The skylark inhabits the open Geest and arable landscapes of the district. Skylark plots, extensive field margin strips and structurally rich fringes compensate for habitat losses caused by construction and infrastructure projects.
About this species ›Sand lizard
Sand heaths, inland dunes, railway embankments and extraction sites are important habitats for the sand lizard. Impacts often require CEF measures involving replacement habitats and professional relocation.
About this species ›Great crested newt and amphibians
The great crested newt, moor frog and other amphibians occur in the bog and wetland areas, as well as in small water bodies of the Vechte lowland. Newly created, fish-free spawning waters are among the most effective compensation measures.
About this species ›Bats
Old and dead wood in the Bentheimer Wald, as well as buildings and tree cavities in the cultural landscape, serve as roosts and hunting grounds for bats. Securing roosts and providing replacement roosts are a fixed part of the species protection assessment.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Logistics and transport
The A30 and A31 motorways meet at the Schüttorfer Kreuz, and the district is an important logistics location. Commercial and logistics developments, as well as expansion and maintenance work on roads and railways, regularly trigger compensation and replacement obligations.
Energy and raw materials
Oil and gas extraction in the Emlichheim and Osterwald area, ground-mounted photovoltaics, and the extraction of sand, gravel and Bentheim sandstone impact soil and landscape and require assessment using the habitat value procedure.
Residential and commercial development
Residential and commercial areas in Nordhorn, Bad Bentheim, Schüttorf and the collective municipalities generate a compensation requirement. Landowners can contribute suitable land as compensation areas.
Wind energy
The expansion of wind energy on the Geest can trigger species protection requirements under § 44 BNatSchG, as well as FCS measures for wind-sensitive species, which need to be incorporated into planning at an early stage.
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 Grafschaft Bentheim
Request eco-points in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim.