What is a biosphere reserve?

The Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve is located in the southeastern part of Saarland, on the border with France and Rhineland-Palatinate. 

A biosphere reserve is divided into three zones: the core zone, the buffer zone, and the transition zone.

The core zone serves the purpose of long-term protection. It is generally off-limits to any human use. In a recognized biosphere reserve, the core zone must cover at least 3% of the total area. General process protection applies here, meaning that this zone should remain free of human intervention and is no longer managed. For example, trees may not be cut down or mushrooms collected.

The buffer zone, also known as the transition zone, is intended to be protected through use. This zone primarily consists of cultural landscapes. Research stations are usually located in the buffer zone.

In the development zone, everything is still permitted. Here, you can drive, engage in agriculture and forestry, and live. The information centers of a biosphere reserve are often located in this zone.

The zones are not visibly separated from one another. The core zone is therefore not fenced off or blocked off. For this reason, it is important to stay on the trails during hikes and excursions and not to leave them. 

In early summer, nearly half of all orchid species found nationwide can be found in southern Bliesgau. Various large and small habitats intertwine here, thereby enabling an exceptionally high diversity of structures and species. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve not only preserves the traditional cultural landscape and the region’s unique biodiversity, but is also strongly committed to climate protection and the establishment of regional value chains.  

Humans have been utilizing this landscape for thousands of years. With a population density above the national average, it has a generally more urban character compared to other German biosphere reserves. The urban-rural relationship, with all its facets, influences, and distinctive features, is therefore one of the focal points of the biosphere reserve’s sustainability goals.

The landscape of the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve is gently rolling. In addition to orchard meadows with native fruit trees, visitors can also stroll through beech forests. The impressive floodplain landscape of the Blies, the river that gives the region its name, is home to many different animal species. On the extensive semi-arid limestone grasslands, visitors can admire nearly half of the orchid species found in Germany.

As an important Celtic and Roman settlement area, the Bliesgau offers visitors many opportunities to explore its historical heritage. The scenic charm of the region’s southern part is complemented by the medium-sized town of St. Ingbert, with its industrial heritage and extensive cultural offerings.

The region serves as a refuge for many rare animal and plant species. Whether it’s the little owl or the red kite, the Bocks’s lousewort or the rattling pot—the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve provides them with a habitat and a helping hand to ensure their survival. Nearly half of the orchid species found in Germany can be admired on the extensive semi-arid limestone grasslands. In the wild and romantic Blies floodplain, the observant visitor will also find traces of the beaver, which has been native to this area again since the 1990s.

Learn more about native animals and plants here.

There is plenty to discover in the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. The best way to admire the landscape is on a hike or a long bike ride. You can also rent hammocks and take them along on a hike. That way, you can take a break whenever you need to and simply “hang out” at the hammock stations. If you’d like to see the region from a different perspective, a canoe trip is a wonderful way to do so.

A partner of the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve is a business that acts as an officially recognized ambassador for the UNESCO Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve.

The partnership is a contractually regulated collaboration between the Biosphere Association and smaller businesses. The goal is to jointly promote sustainable tourism development and create added value for guests and customers. In doing so, the Biosphere Reserve partners present themselves as•    Ambassadors of the biosphere reserve concept•    Quality providers with exceptional service•    Particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable•    Committed to and motivated by the regionThey are distinguished by the official partner logo, are integrated into a partner network, and are actively involved in the nationwide communication efforts of the network of partner initiatives in Germany.