Eco-points and compensation areas
City of Münster
Eco-points and compensation areas for impact projects in the independent city of Münster. greeNature solutions accompanies compensation according to the North Rhine-Westphalia Nature Conservation Act and the North Rhine-Westphalia Eco-Account Ordinance as a nationally active full-service partner.
The City of Münster at a glance
Münster is an independent city and also the seat of the Münster administrative region. It lies in the core Münsterland, a gently rolling parkland landscape in the centre of Westphalian Bay (BfN natural region D34), characterised by fieldbanks, copses, rural hamlets and a dense network of small flowing waters.
Despite its urban character, Münster has a high proportion of green and open space. Streams such as the Münster Aa and Werse run through the city area, in the north lie the internationally significant Rieselfelder, in the south the large forest complex of the Davert extends into the city area.
In terms of nature conservation, the EU bird protection area Münster Rieselfelder (approximately 430 hectares of former sewage irrigation land) and the FFH and bird protection area Davert (FFH DE-4111-302, bird protection area DE-4111-401) with old oak-hornbeam forests in the transition area to Coesfeld and Warendorf districts are significant.
As a growing university and administrative city, Münster experiences ongoing demand for residential, commercial and transport land. Housing development, the reuse of former barracks sites and infrastructure projects regularly trigger compensation obligations under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with the North Rhine-Westphalia Nature Conservation Act.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D34 ›
📍 City districts
🌿 Ecological features
- EU bird protection area Münster Rieselfelder, approximately 430 hectares significant resting and breeding area for waders and waterfowl
- FFH site Davert (DE-4111-302) with old oak-hornbeam forest and wetland habitats
- Bird protection area Davert (DE-4111-401) in transition to Coesfeld and Warendorf districts
- Flowing waters Münster Aa and Werse as urban habitat network axes
- Core Münsterland parkland landscape with fieldbanks, small water bodies and copses
- High proportion of green areas and woodland despite urban densification (including Hohe Ward, Wienburg Park, Aasee)
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature solutions operates nationally and consistently works according to the North Rhine-Westphalia Nature Conservation Act and the North Rhine-Westphalia Eco-Account Ordinance. We know the requirements of Münster's lower nature conservation authority, the state's eco-account procedure and the compensation landscape in core Münsterland and accompany project developers from assessment through recognition.
Typical measures in the city of Münster
Water body restoration
Naturally-oriented redesign of stream courses such as Münster Aa and Werse, creation of riparian margin zones, secondary floodplains and dead wood structures to enhance urban habitat networks and flowing water ecology.
Unsealing
Removal of sealed land on conversion and brownfield sites, restoration of permeable soils and greening, a particularly effective compensation approach in urban areas under the impact mitigation regulation.
Grassland enhancement
Extensification of intensively used arable and grassland in the city-near surrounding area, development of species-rich wet and swamp meadows as habitat for meadow-breeding birds and amphibians.
Small water bodies & amphibians
Creation and restoration of shallow pools, ditches and wet depressions in the Davert and core Münsterland, targeted CEF measures for great crested newt and other endangered amphibian species.
Forest & vegetation development
Development of site-appropriate broadleaf-mixed forests and copses, enrichment of old and dead wood in the oak-hornbeam forests of Davert as habitat for bats and cavity-nesting birds.
Fieldbanks & habitat networks
Creation and management of landscape-characterising fieldbanks (hedges) and margin structures, stepping-stone habitats for small game, insects and field birds in the simplified arable landscape.
Protected species in the Core Münsterland and Westphalian Bay
Northern lapwing
The northern lapwing breeds in the open wet meadows and arable landscapes of Münsterland, its populations are sharply declining. Extensification, rewetting and nest protection are typical CEF measures in city-near open land.
About this species ›Skylark
As characteristic species of open field landscape, the skylark reacts sensitively to habitat loss and use intensification. Skylark windows, wildflower strips and extensively used field margins are among proven compensation measures.
About this species ›Great crested newt
The great crested newt uses small water bodies and wet depressions in the Davert and core Münsterland. This strictly protected Annex II species under the FFH Directive, new spawning waters and networked terrestrial habitats are created.
About this species ›Bats
Old oak forests in Davert and vegetation stands in the city area provide roosts for woodland-dependent bat species. Conservation of cavity trees, roost construction and hunting habitat management secure favourable conservation status.
About this species ›Kingfisher
On naturally-oriented sections of Aa and Werse, the kingfisher breeds in steep banks. Bank restoration, creation of steep banks and the securing of fish-rich water sections promote the species in the city area.
About this species ›Amphibians
Common toad, grass frog and newt species inhabit wetlands around Rieselfelder and Davert. New small water bodies, amphibian barrier fences and networked terrestrial habitats mitigate impacts in transport infrastructure construction.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Housing development
As a growing university city, Münster regularly designates new residential building areas. Land development and densification trigger compensation and replacement measures under the nature conservation impact mitigation regulation, for which greeNature provides land and eco-points.
Conversion of former barracks
The reuse of former British military areas (including Oxford, York and Gremmendorf barracks) for residential and commercial quarters is a defining development theme. Unsealing and green planning offer considerable compensation potential here.
Commerce & harbour
Commercial and logistics land and the development of the city harbour and adjacent areas generate impact requirements. greeNature undertakes assessment, land allocation and authority coordination according to LNatSchG NRW.
Traffic & infrastructure
Expansion of federal and state roads, cycle rapid routes and rail and transmission routes in the city and surrounding area lead to compensation obligations, often linked with species protection CEF 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.
Eco-points in adjoining districts
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in the city of Münster
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