Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Stormarn
Immediately available eco-points and full-service compensation for Stormarn District. greeNature plans and implements compensation and replacement measures as well as eco-accounts according to the Eco-Account Ordinance of Schleswig-Holstein and the LNatSchG SH, for projects in the Hamburg hinterland and nationwide.
The District of Stormarn at a glance
Stormarn District is located in southern Schleswig-Holstein immediately on the north-eastern edge of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and belongs to the Hamburg metropolitan area. District seat and administrative centre is Bad Oldesloe, whilst Reinbek, Ahrensburg and Glinde are among the most populous towns. As Schleswig-Holstein is not divided into administrative regions, the district administration is directly subordinate to the state.
Naturally, Stormarn is located in the transition between the Schleswig-Holsteinische Geest (BfN natural region D22) in the west and the Schleswig-Holsteinisches Hügelland (D23) in the east. The landscape was shaped by the Weichselian glaciation. Characteristic are terminal moraines, drumlins, tunnel valleys such as the Stellmoor-Ahrensburg tunnel valley, numerous small lakes and streams as well as the hedgerows (wall hedges) characteristic of Schleswig-Holstein.
Ecologically significant are the river valleys of Trave and Alster with their wet meadows and riparian forest remnants. The Natura 2000 network includes, among others, the Habitats Directive site Travetal, the Höltigbaum on the Hamburg border, the Nienwohlder Moor and the Hahnheide forest area near Trittau. These areas largely determine where impacts are permissible and how compensation should be designed to suit the natural region.
Economically, the south-western district is part of Hamburg's commuter belt and ranks among Germany's highest-purchasing-power regions. High settlement and business pressure, the transport axes A1, A21 and A24, the planned A20 and the Hamburg-Lübeck railway regularly trigger impacts. Their compensation is governed by sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with the LNatSchG SH, compensation is provided via recognised eco-account measures under the Eco-Account Ordinance of Schleswig-Holstein.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D23 ›
Go to natural region D22 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Habitats Directive site Travetal (DE-2127-391), around 1,289 hectares of near-natural river valley of the upper Trave with wet meadows and riparian forest
- Nature reserve and Habitats Directive site Höltigbaum on the Hamburg border, in the Natura 2000 network mainly because of the presence of the great crested newt
- Nature reserve Hahnheide near Trittau, extensive forest area with transition from managed to natural forest
- Nienwohlder Moor as part of the Habitats Directive site Alster system to Itzstedt Lake and Nienwohlder Moor
- Brenner Moor near Bad Oldesloe, one of the largest inland salt moors in Northern Germany
- Around 4,250 hectares in 19 Habitats Directive sites and 17 nature reserves in the district
- Dense network of hedgerows (wall hedges), tunnel valleys and small waterbodies of the glacially shaped cultural landscape
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the Schleswig-Holstein compensation system. We work with the lower nature conservation authority of Stormarn District and the State Environmental Office of Schleswig-Holstein, know the requirements of the Eco-Account Ordinance of Schleswig-Holstein and the LNatSchG SH as well as the natural region features of geest and hilly landscape. From needs assessment through to land securing and implementation, management and monitoring, we accompany your project throughout.
Typical measures in the district of Stormarn
Waterbody and floodplain restoration on Trave and Alster
Removal of bank structures, establishment of waterbody margin strips and near-natural redesign of the watercourses and their floodplains. Such measures improve habitats, enhance waterbody structure and benefit species such as kingfisher, amphibians and dragonflies.
Rewetting of moors and lowlands
Raising water levels and removal of drainage ditches in degraded moors and wet lowlands, for example in the vicinity of Nienwohlder Moor and Trave meadows. This secures moor-type habitats and sequesters carbon.
Near-natural forest development and forest conversion
Conversion of non-native stands into site-appropriate deciduous and mixed forests and development of natural forest areas, for example in the vicinity of Hahnheide. New and replacement afforestations serve as permanently secured compensation areas.
Hedgerow creation and rehabilitation
The hedgerows (wall hedges) characteristic of Schleswig-Holstein are newly created, supplemented and properly maintained. They network habitats, act as stepping-stone habitats and improve cleared agricultural landscapes.
Wet grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used areas into species-rich wet and damp grassland in the lowlands of Trave and Alster. Adapted mowing, avoidance of fertiliser and the creation of shallow areas create habitats for meadow-breeding birds and amphibians.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advance compensation measures under section 44 BNatSchG, including breeding sites for the great crested newt, replacement roosts for bats and replacement habitats for the sand lizard, coordinated with the respective project.
Protected species in the Hamburg hinterland between geest and hilly landscape
Great crested newt at Höltigbaum
The strictly protected great crested newt (Annex IV Habitats Directive) inhabits small waterbodies and ponds, including at Höltigbaum on the Hamburg border. During impacts, new or upgraded breeding sites in spatial proximity are required as advance CEF measures under section 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Sand lizard on geest sites
The sand lizard (Annex IV Habitats Directive) uses sunny slopes, railway embankments, path margins and sandy geest sites. During construction projects, relocation to prepared replacement habitats and the creation of stone and sand structures are typical CEF measures.
About this species ›Bats in forest and settlement
Old tree stands, forest edges and buildings provide roosts for strictly protected bat species (Annex IV Habitats Directive). Replacement roosts and guidance structures must be provided as a CEF measure in case of demolition or tree felling.
About this species ›Northern lapwing in wet grassland
The northern lapwing breeds in open wet and damp grassland of the Trave and Alster lowlands. Grassland extensification, rewetting and the creation of shallow areas create breeding and feeding habitats as advance species protection measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Trave and Alster
Near-natural bank sections of Trave and Alster provide the kingfisher with steep banks for breeding. Steep bank modelling and the restoration of waterbody margins are typical CEF measures for waterbody interventions.
About this species ›Skylark in the geest landscape
The skylark inhabits the open arable landscapes of Stormarn's geest. In construction and infrastructure procedures, skylark plots, flower strips and extensive arable margin strips are proven measures under section 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Transport and road infrastructure
The district is crossed by motorways A1, A21 and A24, together with the long-term planned A20 with Elbe crossing as well as local bypasses and cycle paths. Such projects regularly trigger compensation and replacement obligations that can be covered via eco-account measures.
Settlement and business development
As part of Hamburg's commuter belt, Stormarn experiences high settlement and business pressure, for example in Ahrensburg, Reinbek, Glinde and Bargteheide. Nature conservation compensation can be efficiently covered through provisioned eco-account areas.
Rail traffic and public transport
The expansion of the Hamburg-Lübeck railway line and extensions in suburban and regional transport create impacts on trees, waterbodies and open land and thus compensation requirements with species protection assessments.
Wind energy and grid expansion
The expansion of wind energy and associated transmission lines leads to impacts and often requires species protection assessments and FCS measures for wind-sensitive 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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