Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Gütersloh
Officially recognised eco-points and full-service compensation in Kreis Gütersloh. greeNature undertakes assessment, land provision and authority liaison under the Ökokonto-Verordnung NRW and the State Nature Conservation Act NRW.
The District of Gütersloh at a glance
Kreis Gütersloh is located in the south of East Westphalia-Lippe and belongs to the Detmold administrative region. The largest part of the district is in the Emssandebene within the Westphalian Bay (BfN natural region D34), a gently undulating, sand-dominated landscape with extensive arable and grassland fields.
To the north the land rises to the Teutoburger Wald (Osning), which belongs to BfN natural region D36 (Weser and Weser-Leine Highlands). Between highland and plain, the Ravensberger Mulde and the sandy Senne provide transition with their heathland and sand-grassland.
The defining watercourse is the Ems, which runs through the district for around 43 kilometres, supplemented by Hessel, Wapelbach and Ölbach. The floodplains and wet meadows of these watercourses are ecologically valuable refuge areas.
Economically, the district is heavily industrialised, including through Bertelsmann and Miele in Gütersloh, Claas in Harsewinkel and the food industry in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. Business expansions, commercial land and infrastructure regularly trigger compensation requirements under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D34 ›
Go to natural region D36 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- FFH site Tatenhauser Wald near Halle with old beech and oak stands and around ten bat species
- FFH site Eastern Teutoburger Wald (Osning) with calcareous beech forests on the lime ridge from Borgholzhausen to Bielefeld
- Senne, large sandy heathland with heaths and sand-grassland on the south-western edge of the Teutoburger Wald
- Ems as a defining watercourse with near-natural floodplain sections and wet meadows
- Ravensberger Mulde in the north as a structurally diverse transition landscape between plain and highland
- Numerous nature reserves of the district, from wetlands through heathland to old-growth forests
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and plans, implements and manages compensation land even outside its own Bavarian base. In Kreis Gütersloh we work under the Ökokonto-Verordnung NRW and the State Nature Conservation Act NRW, liaise with the district's lower nature conservation authority and know the natural-region particularities between Emssandebene, Senne and Teutoburger Wald.
Typical measures in the district of Gütersloh
Floodplains and watercourses
Restoration of stream courses, reconnection of oxbows and development of wet meadows along the Ems, Hessel and Ölbach. This creates spawning and breeding habitats and strengthens the habitat network in lowland areas.
Heath and sand-grassland
Development and management of sand heaths and dry grassland in the natural-region context of the Senne. These nutrient-poor sites are habitats for sand lizard, woodlark and numerous wild bee species.
Forest conversion and old-growth wood
Conversion of nature-distant coniferous plantations to site-appropriate broadleaf and mixed forests plus targeted enrichment with dead and fallen timber. Bats, woodpeckers and the hazel dormouse benefit from this.
Grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively managed arable land into species-rich, extensively managed grassland in the Ems and stream lowlands, a habitat for meadow-breeding birds and amphibians.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advance compensation and safeguarding measures under § 44 BNatSchG, such as breeding ponds for the great crested newt, sunny sand habitats for reptiles and replacement roosts for bats, each tailored to the specific project.
Hedgerows and habitat network
Creation of hedgerows, field copses and margins in the intensively farmed Emssandebene landscape as stepping stones between forest, floodplain and open land.
Protected species in the Emssandebene and Teutoburger Wald
Bats
The Tatenhauser Wald near Halle is home to around ten bat species, including the rare Bechstein's bat and the pond bat. Old broadleaf forests and tree cavities are crucial roost and hunting areas.
About this species ›Sand lizard
The sandy heaths and dry grasslands of the Senne and Emssandebene provide the sand lizard with sunny habitats. In cases of impact, relocation and newly created sand structures are typical CEF measures.
About this species ›Great crested newt
The strictly protected great crested newt occurs, for example, in the Tatenhauser Wald and depends on fish-free, sunny small waterbodies. Creation and networking of breeding ponds are important compensation measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher breeds in near-natural sections of the Ems and tributary streams in steep banks. Clean watercourses, bank erosion and abundant small fish are prerequisites for stable populations.
About this species ›Skylark
In the wide arable fields of the Emssandebene, the skylark is a characteristic but declining breeding bird. Skylark windows and extensive arable margin strips are among proven support measures.
About this species ›Amphibians of the sand landscape
The sand-dominated habitats of the Senne are home to pioneer species such as the natterjack toad, which depends on shallow, sparsely vegetated small waterbodies. Such waters can be purpose-built.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Industry and commerce
Major employers such as Bertelsmann and Miele in Gütersloh, Claas in Harsewinkel, Storck in Halle and the food industry in Rheda-Wiedenbrück regularly expand sites and commercial land. Such projects trigger compensation and replacement obligations under BNatSchG.
Transport and infrastructure
Expansion and renovation of motorways (A2 and A33), state roads and town bypasses, plus rail and utility routes regularly create compensation requirements in the district.
Settlement development
New residential and commercial areas in the growing towns and municipalities of the district require statutory nature-conservation compensation. Owners of suitable land can participate as providers of compensation areas.
Renewable energies
Free-field photovoltaics and wind energy on agricultural land and in elevated areas require species protection assessment and compensation, including CEF measures for open-land species.
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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in the district of Gütersloh
Request eco-points in the district of Gütersloh
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Gütersloh.