Network Living Lakes Germany

Natural lakes and wetlands with their water catchment areas as well as artificial lakes such as quarry ponds, water reservoirs or post-mining landscapes are among the most important and most threatened habitats in Germany. They are affected by fertilisers and pesticides from the agriculture and untreated waste water, impacted by bank stabilization, over-cultivated by settlement, water sports and fishery and sometimes even drained. In many lake regions, projects to reduce environmental impacts have already been successfully carried out.

The network Living Lakes Germany will serve as a platform for the exchange of experiences and the knowledge transfer. Model projects to support sustainable development in lake regions will be jointly developed and implemented. Further key activities include information, sensitisation and motivation of citizens, relevant stakeholders and media.

On September 15, 2009, the network Living Lakes Germany started with a kick-off meeting at Lake Starnberg. The first common measures are an alluvial forest project and measures to promote bloomy bee pastures at Lake Constance.

The actors and bestselling authors Michaela Merten and Pierre Franckh support the network as patrons of  “Living Lakes Germany”. The network started with seven partner lakes and six further potential partner lakes in Germany. Renowned organisations such as the Deutsche Olympische Sportbund (German Olympic Sport´s Alliance) as well as the Institut für Seenforschung in Langenargen (Institute for Lake Research in Langenargen) have joined the network.

Claudia Roth, member of the German Bundestag, welcomes the foundation of the network and emphasises the importance of intact lakes in Germany in her welcome speech.

SUPPORTER

SUPPORTER

The foundation members of the network “Living Lakes Germany” with both patrons Michaela Merten and Pierre Franckh.

Video of the foundation event of the network "Living Lakes Germany“, in German.

Long-term aims

The network will facilitate continuous exchange of experiences between stakeholders of different lake regions. For this purpose, forums for lake and climate protection as well as for the support of biological biodiversity were established. In addition, the network will intensify the cooperation with water sport and fishery associations.

Reckitt Benckiser and Anton & Petra Ehrmann Foundation are project sponsors.

The network is supported by Reckitt Benckiser and the Anton & Petra Ehrmann Foundation. The non-profit foundation advocates the creation of “Living Lakes Germany” as a sustainable initiative. The network provides an excellent  substructure to create synergetic effects to protect and develop effectively German lakes. For Reckitt Benckiser the cooperation with the GNF is an important aspect in the environmental commitment of the enterprise. Parallel to this cooperation, Reckitt Benckiser has launched the global campaign “Our home – our planet”.

Supporter:

Supporter:

Media partner:

Further information on several lakes as well as the partner organisations in situ is available at separate pages, currently only in German.

Contact

Global Nature Fund (GNF)

International Foundation for Environment and Nature

Udo Gattenlöhner, Executive Director

Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4

78315 Radolfzell, Germany

Phone: + 49 - 77 32 - 99 95 - 80

Fax: + 49 - 77 32 - 99 95 - 88

E-mail: info@globalnature.org

Website: www.globalnature.org