© Martin Stock
MEKUN: Protecting the oceans
Young, wild and dynamic - 40 years of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
In 2025, the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary under the motto ‘Young, wild & dynamic’. The results are impressive: from initial scepticism, the national park has developed into a flagship project that enjoys great recognition.
© Adam Schnabler
Protecting a unique natural paradise
When the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park was established on 1 October 1985 as the third national park in Germany and the first large-scale protected area on the German coast, it was a milestone for nature conservation in Germany. The decision was forward-looking: it laid the foundations for preserving one of the last large wilderness areas in Central Europe. Today, the national park is the largest protected area between the North Cape and Sicily. The unique dynamics of the Wadden Sea are protected here so that nature can develop as freely as possible.
Find out more:
Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer - Nationalpark Wattenmeer
Every year, ten to twelve million birds rest in the region, making the area one of the most bird-rich hotspots in Central Europe and a fundamental hub on the East Atlantic migration route.
Nature conservation with international significance
The national park protects mudflats, tidal flats and coastal waters, beaches, salt marshes, sand islands, dunes and Halligen islands. Around 3,200 animal species live here, many of them exclusively in the Wadden Sea. Every year, ten to twelve million birds rest in the region, making the area one of the most bird-rich hotspots in Central Europe and a fundamental hub on the East Atlantic migration route. The protected status has been continuously expanded over the years: The Wadden Sea is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an internationally recognized wetland (Ramsar Convention), a Natura 2000 site and a particularly sensitive marine area. In 1990, UNESCO recognized the area of the national park as the core and buffer zone of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea Biosphere Reserve. Since 2004, the biosphere reserve has also included the areas of the five large Halligen islands of Hooge, Gröde, Langeneß, Nordstrandischmoor and Oland as a development zone. The island of Pellworm was recognized as a further part of the development zone in 2023.
More information:
Schützen - Nationalpark Wattenmeer
Host City Local Partner
The Ocean Race Europe 2025
© Martin Stock
Joint website of the three German Wadden Sea National Parks:
www.nationalpark-wattenmeer.de
National park partners in Schleswig-Holstein:
www.nationalpark-partner-sh.de
Year-round series of events to mark the anniversary
This year, the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The anniversary is being celebrated under the motto ‘young, wild and dynamic’ with more than 40 events that bring the Wadden Sea to life in a variety of ways - from Sylt to the Elbe estuary, spread throughout the year. Whether young or old, guest or resident - there is something for everyone. The national park administration and numerous national park partners invite you to discover, enjoy and marvel at nature.
Find out more:
Nationalpark-Führungen - Nationalpark Wattenmeer
40 successes from 40 years of the national park
To mark its 40th anniversary, the National Park Authority is highlighting the most important achievements of the protected area: the strong National Park Act alone ensures that the Wadden Sea is protected as a unique ecosystem in the best possible way and that nature can develop freely. It is the central legal tool for the protection of the area.
It is equally important to inform visitors and local people. Because we can only protect what we know. Over 30 information centres, including the Multimar Wattforum National Park Centre in Tönning, attract almost one million visitors every year to the fascinating world of the Wadden Sea. Educational and nature experience programmes and numerous guided tours round off the offer.
In the salt marshes, nature can now develop again undisturbed over large areas, as many areas are no longer drained or intensively utilised. A new navigation regulation has also ensured greater tranquillity and protection on the water.
Almost 200 national park partners from the tourism sector are actively involved in conservation and turn their guests into ambassadors for the national park.
The award of UNESCO World Natural Heritage status crowns the efforts made to date. And last but not least, the national park is also a ‘soul sanctuary’: Intact nature offers recreation and renewed strength - a valuable asset for us humans in an increasingly digitalised world.
These are just some of the 40 successes in the four-decade history of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park.
Read more:
Themenjahr 2025 Jung, wild und dynamisch - Nationalpark Wattenmeer
National parks as a model
The establishment of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park was an important step for nature conservation in Germany. Today, there are 16 national parks across the country. They all follow the principle: ‘Let nature be nature’ - large areas, as uncut and unspoilt as possible. The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is a prime example of how nature conservation, research and experiencing nature can be successfully combined.
Read more:
Nationalparke im Wattenmeer - Nationalpark Wattenmeer
© MEKUN
Acquire article rights