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Animals & Plants

‘Nature of the Year’

Animals, Plants and Countryside of the Year

In 1971 NABU, although at the time it was known as the Society for the Protection of Birds (Bund für Vogelschutz), chose a ‘Bird of the Year’ for the very first time – the peregrine falcon. The success of this campaign encouraged other environmental organisations and nature conservation societies to follow suit in choosing their own ‘nature-mascot’ of the year. In 1980 it was the flowers’ turn to join in with the competition and then from 1984 livestock jumped on board too. Since then the numbers have grown and there are at least 20 different plants or animal mascots of the year. More in German

Amphibians & Reptiles

Frogs, toads and newts

In the springtime, as soon as it starts to get warm at night, frogs, toads and newts start their migration to spawn. Due to the extensive distance that the amphibians migrate, they are particularly affected by the constantly growing road network and increase in traffic. On the streets only the strongest survive! We will tell you all about the ecology of amphibians and explain ways to protect them. We also have the latest updates about the spawning migration for you to read. More in German

Insects & Spiders

Observation and Protection

Here are some descriptions and practical tips to watch insects and spiders and help with their conservation. There are lots of different types of insects listed, such as bees, wasps, grasshoppers and butterflies, and of course, spiders too. There’s no reason to think that insects are creepy creatures – they’re fantastic little helpers in the garden and just by looking closer we can learn a lot about them. More in German

Mammals

From the lynx to the otter

Let’s not forget about the mammals! NABU is active in protecting highly endangered species, such as lynxes, beavers, wolves and otters, but we also care about mammals you would find in your own garden at home, like moles and hedgehogs. Take a look at our mammal protection projects here: More in German

Bird Conservation

The bird kingdom is under threat

Birds feel the influence of man the most from all of the animals that live in the wild. Many are under threat – not even just rare birds like the crane or the stork, but even birds we consider as everyday, like the swallow or the sparrow. All of these birds could become endangered if their natural habitat disappears. Learn more about the threats to the bird kingdom and what we can do to save them and watch them in their natural habitat… More in German

Other Animals

Fish, snails and more

Here you can get species descriptions, project outlines and much more, for crayfish, snails, fish and freshwater sponges. The snail, considered by some to be a greedy pest and by others to be just disgusting, is actually a fascinating creature! What other animal can carry its house around with it? Even fish can do more than just gawp and stare… More in German

Botany

Plants are the basis of all life

When people think about NABU’s nature conservation work, the first thing they think about is birds, followed by perhaps amphibians and dragonflies. But there are many of our working groups who concentrate on plants as their focus area. We have over 2,500 native plant species but unfortunately many of them are endangered which means we have a lot of nature conservation work to do! More in German

Mushrooms, lichens and mosses

Lets go mushrooming!

Cryptogams are plants that reproduce invisibly using spores. Algae, ferns, mushrooms, toadstools, lichens and mosses are all classed as cryptograms. There is a surprising diversity in their different types and you can find them in almost every type of habitat. More in German