»IUCN II«

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

With the official recognition of the Bavarian national parks by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they join a list of well-known international parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone in the USA, Serengeti in Tanzania and Galapagos in Ecuador. In Germany, all national parks are registered with the IUCN. So far, only the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park has been officially recognized in 2010. In order to receive the award, the strict international quality standards for national parks must be met.

The prerequisite for recognition of national parks by the IUCN is that they are designated, large-scale natural or near-natural areas or landscapes, including their typical species and ecosystem features, which also provide a basis for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual experiences and research opportunities as well as educational, recreational and visitor offers.

Dr. Roland Baier, Director of Berchtesgaden National Park: “Since last year, we have met the IUCN requirements of 75 percent core zone share. In an area the size of Lichtenstein, an undisturbed course of natural processes is now possible without human targets and planning. Only here can we explore how our mountain nature promotes habitat and species diversity through its own dynamics. And only here can humans experience wilderness development through growth and decay, the perpetual cycle of nature.

Dr. Eick von Ruschkowski (IUCN), Minister of State Michaela Kaniber, Dr. Roland Baier (Head of Berchtesgaden National Park), Ursula Schuster (Head of Bavarian Forest National Park), Minister of State Thorsten Glauber, Helmut Plenk (Deputy District Administrator Regen), Peter Südbeck (National Natural Landscapes).

Further information:

https://nationale-naturlandschaften.de/wissensbeitraege/iucn-managementkategorie-ii-nationalparks