Landscape Guardians: Volunteers protect nature in the Harz Mountains!

Landscape Guardians: Volunteers protect nature in the Harz Mountains!

There is good news for nature lovers and environmentally conscious citizens in the Goslar region. On July 10, 2025, six dedicated landscape guards were reappointed as part of a ceremonial appointment by Stefan Behrens, head of the Construction and Environment Department, and Kathrin Schirok, head of the lower nature conservation authority. These included the names Siegfried Maibaum, Paul Kunze and Thomas Moll, while Volker Edelmann, Hans-Günther Schärf and Reinhard Vierke are also among the landscape guards not shown. These volunteers have committed to acting in the spirit of nature conservation until February 2030.

The tasks of the landscape guards are diverse. They monitor protected natural and landscape areas, inform the lower nature conservation authorities about relevant incidents and impart knowledge about native plant and animal species as well as the relevant do's and don'ts in areas worthy of protection. This responsible activity is traditionally carried out on a voluntary basis in Lower Saxony and some of the landscape guards have been active for several decades.

Background of volunteering

While volunteer work in the form of landscape guards plays an important role in Goslar, the situation is similar in other regions of Germany. For example, the lower nature conservation authority in Kitzingen is also looking for committed volunteers to protect nature. There are numerous exciting tasks on the program here, such as the annual amphibian campaign, combating muskrats or looking after bird feeders. These activities not only offer the opportunity to actively contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, but also the chance to work in the fresh air and make new contacts. Participants can count on compensation and take part in interesting training courses, such as kitzingen.de reported.

Another example of voluntary commitment can be found at NABU (Natural Protection Association of Germany) in southern Lower Saxony, where around 40,000 people work voluntarily for nature and the environment every year. These dedicated people collectively contribute an impressive three million hours of volunteer work. Money is less the focus here - instead, the focus is on personal motivation and the opportunity to actively contribute to nature conservation. The opportunities to get involved are as diverse as nature itself: from working in a nature-loving team to taking part in demonstrations to professional work in working groups. NABU has adopted the motto “for people and nature” and thus shows how important a deep connection to nature is nabu-suedniedersachsen.de can be read.

Volunteering in focus

Volunteering in nature and landscape conservation connects people and promotes awareness of the natural environment. Regardless of whether in Goslar or Kitzingen, the work of the landscape guards and nature conservation workers impressively shows that a joint commitment to nature is possible and brings joy in many ways. Anyone who is interested can volunteer in many regions and thus make a significant contribution to protecting our environment. Applications for specific projects in Kitzingen are currently open. Those interested should share their experiences, knowledge and motivation in an email to the nature conservation authority.