New protected area The Lucie”: Citizen participation starts on January 26th!

New protected area The Lucie”: Citizen participation starts on January 26th!

A significant nature conservation initiative is being launched in the Lüchow-Dannenberg district. From January 26th to February 27th, 2026, all citizens are invited to take part in the revision process of the regulation on the “Die Lucie” nature reserve. This area is not only a refuge for rare bird species such as sea eagles, middle spotted woodpeckers and cranes, but also plays a central role in the European nature conservation system Natura 2000. Like the luechow-dannenberg.de reports, the draft of the new regulation will be publicly displayed in the Lüchow district hall and the joint municipalities of Elbtalaue and Lüchow. This adjustment is necessary in order to adapt the protective provisions to the current EU requirements.

The existing regulation dates back to 1951 and is no longer up to date. The Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment has therefore commissioned the revision in order to meet the legal requirements of the EU directives, especially the Fauna-Flora-Habitats Directive (FFH Directive) and the Birds Directive. These guidelines are crucial to counteract the decline of wild species and deteriorating habitats and to safeguard biological diversity within the European Union, as set out in bfn.de.

Public participation and deadlines

Of great importance is the opportunity for the public to actively participate in this process. Information and suggestions regarding the draft ordinance can be submitted by post, email or in person to the nature conservation authority in the district hall by February 27, 2026. From January 26th, the relevant documents will also be available online on the district's website: Natura 2000 Information.

The adaptation of the regulation not only secures the status of the special protection areas, but also promotes monitoring of the conservation status of important flora and fauna. These measures are in line with the objectives of the Natura 2000 network, which now covers over 20% of the EU's land area, making it the largest network of protected areas in the world, as shown in the EU Relevant Guidelines at eur-lex.eu. In addition to protecting natural habitats, the network aims to conserve endangered species and promote natural habitats of desired biodiversity.

A step into the future

The nature conservation requirements for areas like “Die Lucie” have increased steadily in recent years. Regular reporting on the condition of these areas and measures to improve habitats were also introduced. The last FFH report was submitted in 2019, the next one must be submitted by July 31, 2025. With these new regulations, Lüchow-Dannenberg is sending a strong signal for the preservation of nature and the promotion of sustainable development locally.

In short, the revision of the regulation on the “Die Lucie” nature reserve is not just a bureaucratic necessity, but a right step towards sustainable environmental protection that benefits both citizens and nature.