Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Uelzen
Eco-points and compensation areas in Uelzen District. greeNature plans, secures and manages compensation projects in natural region D28 Lüneburger Heide and Wendland under Lower Saxon nature conservation law (NAGBNatSchG) and the biotope value procedure. Nationwide operations, with a clear eye for the soils, heathland streams and open-land biotopes of the Uelzen Basin.
The District of Uelzen at a glance
Uelzen District is located in the north-east of Lower Saxony and geographically belongs to Lüneburger Heide. Centrally, the Saalian glacial Uelzen Basin shapes the landscape, a basin formed by ground moraines with comparatively fertile soils, intensively used for the cultivation of sugar beets, potatoes and cereals.
Surrounding the arable areas are extensive coniferous forests and remnants of old heathland and juniper stands, such as Ellerndorf Juniper Heath. These open, nutrient-poor locations are particularly valuable from a nature conservation perspective and are correspondingly highly rated in the biotope value procedure.
A characteristic element is the flowing water system of the Ilmenau, which forms south of Uelzen from the source streams Gerdau and Stederau and around which Hardau and other heathland streams also drain. Large parts of this water network are protected as the Ilmenau with tributary streams FFH site.
Economically, the district is rurally characterised, with strong food industry. Transport projects, commercial settlement and the expansion of renewable energy regularly trigger impacts, for which nature conservation compensation and replacement must be provided.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D28 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- The Saalian glacial Uelzen Basin with comparatively fertile ground moraine soils and intensive agriculture (sugar beets, potatoes, cereals).
- Extensive coniferous forests and remnants of historic heathland, including Ellerndorf Juniper Heath with sand grassland and juniper stands.
- The branched flowing water system of the Ilmenau with source streams Gerdau and Stederau as well as Hardau, predominantly protected as FFH site.
- Records of demanding species such as black stork, freshwater pearl mussel and river lamprey in the near-natural heathland streams.
- Low population density of approximately 63 residents per square kilometre, one of the more sparsely populated districts in Lower Saxony.
- Strong food industry at the Uelzen location with Nordzucker, the Uelzena dairy cooperative and Froneri ice cream manufacturer.
- The Elbe Lateral Canal crosses the district and connects it via inland shipping to the Elbe and Mittellandkanal.
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature manages compensation projects in Uelzen District according to Lower Saxon nature conservation law. We develop natural-region-appropriate measures suited to the soils of the Uelzen Basin, from heathland stream restoration through field extensification to heathland and juniper heath management. For project developers, we undertake assessment using the biotope value procedure, consultation with Uelzen District's lower nature conservation authority and NLWKN as well as long-term land securing and maintenance. This allows legally sound and professionally sound compensation to be provided as legally required. greeNature operates nationwide and brings experience from projects in different natural regions into concrete implementation on site.
Typical measures in the district of Uelzen
Restore flowing waters
Removal of riverbank defences, connection of oxbows and development of continuous floodplains on Ilmenau, Gerdau and Hardau. Such measures significantly upgrade watercourse structure and surroundings in the biotope value procedure.
Convert arable to grassland
Extensification of intensively farmed arable land to species-rich wet and wet grassland, especially in heathland stream lowlands, with adapted mowing and grazing.
Rewet bogs and wet sites
Raising water levels on drained bog and lowland areas. This binds carbon, reduces nutrient export and creates high-value, moisture-influenced habitats.
Manage heathland and sand grassland
De-scrubbing, sod-stripping and grazing maintain juniper and sand heaths such as at Ellerndorf Heath as open, nutrient-poor habitats of typical heathland species.
Develop forests naturally
Conversion of structure-poor coniferous forests to site-appropriate broadleaf and mixed forests, with promotion of old wood, dead wood and tiered forest edge.
Structure agricultural landscape
Creation of hedgerows, field copses and flower and arable margin strips structures the denuded arable landscape and provides food and shelter for open-land species.
Protected species in the Lüneburger Heide, Uelzen Basin
Black stork
The black stork uses low-disturbance, wet forests and near-natural creek floodplains on Ilmenau and Gerdau as feeding and breeding habitat. It is sensitive to disturbance and habitat loss.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher is found on clear, structured flowing waters with steep banks and good fish supply. Restored sections of heathland streams improve its breeding and feeding conditions.
About this species ›Northern lapwing
The northern lapwing breeds on wet meadows and open arable areas. Waterlogged grassland hollows and extensively managed fields are important for populations in the district.
About this species ›Skylark
As a characteristic species of open agricultural landscape, the skylark suffers from loss of structured areas. Skylark patches and flower strips in arable land actively support it.
About this species ›Sand lizard
The sand lizard inhabits warm-dry heaths, sand grasslands, forest and railway edges. In interventions, its habitats must be considered under species protection of § 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Bats
Forests, watercourse edges and old buildings provide bats with hunting grounds and roosts. Retention of cavity trees and guide structures must be particularly noted in projects.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Transport infrastructure
Expansion and renewal of federal and state roads, bypasses and rail and waterway structures along the Elbe Lateral Canal lead to impacts requiring compensation and replacement.
Commercial and industrial settlement
Expansion of commercial and industrial areas, particularly in the vicinity of the food industry and logistics at the Uelzen location, seals land and triggers compensation obligations.
Renewable energy
New wind energy installations and utility-scale photovoltaic in the rural district require nature conservation assessments and compensation of affected habitats.
Raw material extraction and pipeline routes
Sand and gravel extraction and the expansion of electricity and pipeline routes impinge on soil and landscape and entail corresponding compensation measures.
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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