Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Mittelsachsen
Eco-points and compensation areas in Mittelsachsen District, assessed according to the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO). greeNature is your full-service partner operating nationwide for compensation in the Central Saxon Hilly Land and the Osterzgebirge.
The District of Mittelsachsen at a glance
Mittelsachsen District is located in the centre of the Free State of Saxony and extends from the Central Saxon Loess Hilly Land in the north via the Erzgebirge foothills to the higher elevations of the Osterzgebirge at the border with the Czech Republic. The district seat is the university and mining city of Freiberg. Saxony has not been divided into administrative regions since 2012, so the district is directly assigned to the state.
In terms of natural regions, the district connects two very different landscapes. The north belongs to the BfN natural region D19 (Saxon Elbe and Loess Hilly Land) with deep, fertile loess soils and an old arable landscape. The south belongs to the natural region D19 (Saxon Highland, Erzgebirge and Vogtland) with mountain forests, mountain meadows and the narrow valley-like cut sections of the Freiberger Mulde and Zschopau.
Ecologically significant are the near-natural river valleys of the Freiberger Mulde and the Zschopau, extensive spruce and mountain mixed forests, and the species-rich mountain meadows of the Erzgebirge. The district has numerous protected areas, including FFH and EU bird protection areas and shares in the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park. The historical pit mining of the Freiberg district left a far-reaching gallery system that today provides important winter quarters for bats.
Economically, Mittelsachsen is characterised by the semiconductor and solar industry around Freiberg, by mechanical and automotive engineering, and by the timber and paper industry. Plant expansions, transport projects and the expansion of renewable energy regularly trigger impacts that must be compensated according to §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG. Assessment follows the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO) and the guidance recommendation for assessing and accounting for impacts.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D19 ›
Go to natural region D16 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Freiberger Mulde and Zschopau as near-natural river valleys with habitat for kingfisher, dipper and beaver
- Historic gallery system of the Freiberg mining district as important bat winter quarters
- Species-rich mountain and mountain hay meadows of the Osterzgebirge (FFH habitat types)
- Shares in the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park
- Fertile Central Saxon Loess Hilly Land as traditional arable landscape
- 23 FFH sites and 8 EU bird protection areas within the district
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the Saxon compensation system. In Mittelsachsen, compensation and replacement are governed by the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO) and the guidance recommendation for assessing and accounting for impacts, administered via the Saxon compensation land register. We coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authority at Mittelsachsen District Office and accompany projects from land securing through implementation to long-term management and monitoring.
Typical measures in the district of Mittelsachsen
Water restoration at Freiberger Mulde
Removal of bank reinforcement, creation of riparian strips and development of steep banks and riparian vegetation at Freiberger Mulde, Zschopau and tributary streams. Near-natural water bodies improve habitats for kingfisher, dipper and fish fauna.
Forest conversion in the Osterzgebirge
Conversion of structurally poor spruce plantations into climate-resilient mountain mixed forests of beech, fir, sycamore and rowan. The conversion reduces vulnerability to storms and bark beetle and increases the ecological value of mountain forests.
Mountain meadow management
Maintenance and restoration of species-rich mountain and mountain hay meadows of the Erzgebirge through adapted mowing and scrub removal. These FFH habitat types contain arnica, globe flower and a rich insect fauna.
Species protection CEF/FCS
Securing and optimising old mining galleries of the Freiberg district as bat winter quarters, sand lizard habitats on railway embankments and mining heaps, and amphibian water bodies, coordinated with the requirements of § 44 BNatSchG.
Hedgerows and field margins in the loess hilly land
Creation of hedgerows, margins and field margins in the cleared arable fields of the Central Saxon Hilly Land. Stepping-stone habitats for skylark, grey partridge, brown hare and wild bees strengthen the habitat network.
Amphibian water bodies and ponds
Creation and renovation of pools, ponds and puddles as breeding water bodies for great crested newt, common toad and grass frog, connected with structurally rich land habitats in the surrounding area.
Protected species in the Central Saxon Hilly Land and Osterzgebirge
Kingfisher
The kingfisher inhabits the steep banks of Freiberger Mulde and Zschopau. It requires near-natural banks with cliff faces for breeding and clear, fish-rich water bodies. Water restoration creates suitable breeding habitats.
About this species ›Bats in historic mining
The far-reaching galleries of the Freiberg mining district are among the important winter quarters for Natterer's bat, water bat and Brandt's bat. The retention and proper securing of the galleries are typical species protection measures.
About this species ›European wildcat
The European wildcat is expanding again in the contiguous forests of the Erzgebirge. Disturbance-free forest edges, dead wood and networked woodland structures promote its expansion.
About this species ›Black stork
The black stork nests in quiet, old-growth forest stands of the Osterzgebirge and uses near-natural forest streams as feeding grounds. Disturbance-free nest surroundings and fish-rich streams secure the populations.
About this species ›Skylark
The skylark nests in the open arable landscape of the Central Saxon Loess Hilly Land. Flower strips, lark windows and extensively used field margin strips improve its breeding success.
About this species ›Great crested newt and amphibians
The great crested newt inhabits sunny, fish-free small water bodies and is strictly protected under FFH Annexes II and IV. New breeding water bodies and networked land habitats support the populations.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Semiconductor and solar industry
The Freiberg area is a significant location for the semiconductor and solar industry. Plant expansions, new production facilities and associated infrastructure create impacts that must be compensated according to §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG.
Infrastructure and transport
Federal motorways A4 and A14 cross the district, plus federal roads such as the B169 and B173 and several railway lines. Expansion and new construction, bypasses and bridge structures regularly trigger compensation and replacement obligations.
Renewable energies
Wind turbines on the heights and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems in the loess hilly land require nature conservation compensation. Where affected species such as red kite or skylark are involved, precautionary compensation measures (CEF) and FCS measures may be required.
Commerce and settlement development
Mechanical and automotive engineering, timber and paper industry as well as new residential and commercial areas in Freiberg, Döbeln and Mittweida create compensation requirements. Owners of suitable land can benefit as land providers.
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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