Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Ilm-Kreis
Immediately available eco-points from authority-approved eco-accounts. greeNature is your full-service partner for compensation in the Ilm district, from assessment according to the Thuringian compensation model (ThürNatG and Thuringian Compensation Ordinance) through to permanent securing of the areas.
The District of Ilm-Kreis at a glance
The Ilm district is located in the centre of Thuringia and is named after the river Ilm. The district seat is Arnstadt, the largest city is the university city Ilmenau. Thuringia is not divided into administrative regions, the district administration undertakes the tasks of the lower nature conservation authority itself.
In terms of landscape, the district extends from the fertile Thuringian basin in the north via the Muschelkalk edge plateaus into the forested ridge areas of the Thuringian forest and Thuringian slate mountains in the south. This span from the arable plain to altitudes around 900 metres creates a mosaic of open field areas, orchard slopes, mountain meadows and extensive forest areas.
Ecologically significant are the flowing waters Ilm and Gera, the mountain meadows and beech forests of the Thuringian forest Nature Park along the Rennsteig, as well as numerous FFH and bird protection sites, cared for by the Natura 2000 station Gotha/Ilm district. The district bears special responsibility for the lesser horseshoe bat, whose occurrence is nationally significant.
Economically determining is the Erfurt junction industrial area north of Arnstadt, Thuringia's largest contiguous industrial area at the motorway junction A4/A71. Together with the Technical University Ilmenau, road and rail expansion and the energy transition, compensation requirements arise here regularly, to be handled via the Thuringian compensation model under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D18 ›
Go to natural region D48 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Erfurt junction industrial area, Thuringia's largest industrial area at the junction of A4 and A71
- Thuringian forest Nature Park with the Rennsteig in the southern ridge areas
- Lesser horseshoe bat (Annex II FFH Directive), nationally significant occurrence
- FFH and bird protection sites of the Natura 2000 station Gotha/Ilm district
- Ilm and Gera as near-natural flowing waters with kingfisher and bullhead
- Muschelkalk semi-arid grasslands and traditional orchards on the northern edge of the Thuringian basin
- Mountain meadows and spruce forests in the high areas around Ilmenau and Großbreitenbach
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with administrative practice in Thuringia. We coordinate compensation concepts with the lower nature conservation authority of the Ilm district and the Thuringian State Office for Environment, Mining and Nature Conservation (TLUBN) and assess according to the Thuringian compensation model (ThürNatG and Thuringian Compensation Ordinance) in eco-points. For the forested ridge areas of the Thuringian forest as well as for the agricultural landscape of the Thuringian basin, we develop measures that are technically sound and capable of official recognition.
Typical measures in the district of Ilm-Kreis
Near-natural forest conversion
Conversion of pure spruce stands in the ridge areas into site-appropriate beech and mountain mixed forests. This increases structural diversity and secures habitats for European wildcat, black stork and hazel dormouse.
Mountain meadows and mountain hay meadows
Restoration and extensive management of species-rich mountain meadows in the Thuringian forest through nutrient-removing mowing. Habitat for whinchat, rare butterflies and wild bees.
Flowing water restoration
Dismantling of bank structures and creation of watercourse buffer strips along Ilm and Gera. This creates spawning and breeding habitats for kingfisher, bullhead and brook lamprey.
Chalk semi-arid grasslands and orchards
Management and new creation of Muschelkalk dry grasslands and traditional orchards on the northern edge of the district. Habitat for wild bees, red-backed shrikes and thermophilic insects.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Securing of summer and winter quarters of the lesser horseshoe bat as well as replacement habitats for sand lizards on railway embankments and commercial areas, tailored to the Thuringian compensation model.
Hedgerows and field margins
Creation of hedgerows, field margins and flowering strips in the impoverished arable land of the Thuringian basin. Stepping-stone habitats for skylark, brown hare and grey partridge.
Protected species in the Between Thuringian forest and Thuringian basin
European wildcat
The contiguous broadleaf forests of the Thuringian forest and edge plateaus are core habitat for the European wildcat. Habitat networking and near-natural forest conversion secure its migration corridors, a frequent FCS topic in road and cable projects.
Lesser horseshoe bat
The Ilm district bears special responsibility for the lesser horseshoe bat (Annex II FFH Directive), one of few German occurrences in the limestone areas on the edge of the Thuringian basin. Shelter protection and hunting habitats are typical CEF measures under § 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›black stork
The minimally disturbed forest streams and old-growth stands of the Thuringian forest provide the black stork with breeding and food habitats. FCS measures secure the nest surroundings and near-natural flowing waters.
About this species ›kingfisher
The kingfisher breeds in natural steep banks along Ilm and Gera. Restored watercourse sections with erosion banks and clean water are effective compensation measures.
About this species ›skylark
In the open arable landscape of the Thuringian basin, the skylark is a characteristic species. Flowering strips, lark windows and extensively managed field margins counteract population declines.
About this species ›sand lizard
Railway embankments, ruderal areas and commercial sites at Erfurt junction are important habitats for sand lizards. When impacts occur, advance relocations and replacement habitats are required under § 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Industry and commerce (Erfurt junction)
The Erfurt junction industrial area north of Arnstadt is Thuringia's largest contiguous industrial area at the A4/A71 motorway junction. Settlements and expansions in automotive, manufacturing and logistics regularly generate high compensation requirements. greeNature provides the appropriate eco-points and takes on authority coordination.
Traffic and rail
Motorways A71 and A4, town bypasses and the ICE new line between Nuremberg and Erfurt with its tunnel works in the Thuringian forest trigger extensive compensation and replacement obligations, often combined with species protection measures for bats and European wildcat.
Energy and renewables
Wind energy in the upland areas, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and grid expansion require nature conservation compensation and species protection assessments, for instance for bats and raptors.
Settlement and university location
Residential and commercial development areas in Arnstadt, in the university city of Ilmenau and in Stadtilm require compensation measures. Landowners and farmers can bring their land into an eco-account and remain owners.
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 Ilm-Kreis
Request eco-points in the district of Ilm-Kreis
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Ilm-Kreis.