Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung

The Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung, founded in 1992 by the Hamburg entrepreneur Haymo G. Rethwisch, is a non-profit foundation under private law based in Hamburg. It is dedicated to the protection and promotion of native wildlife and their habitats.

The foundation's guiding principle is characterized by the goal of giving nature and wildlife a voice. The focus is on promoting environmental and nature conservation, science and research, education and training, as well as art and culture in these areas. The foundation strives to inspire people with the beauty and uniqueness of native wildlife and to counteract the alienation from nature, especially among children and young people[2].

The work of the Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung focuses on four central pillars:

• Species Protection: The foundation initiates projects to protect endangered species such as the field hamster, the crying eagle, and the lynx. It works closely with stakeholders from politics, agriculture, forestry, and hunting[2].
• Habitat Protection: The foundation purchases and maintains forests, moors, meadows, and arable land to secure and create ecologically valuable habitats. Over 7,200 hectares of land in northern and eastern Germany are managed in the interest of nature conservation[2][3].
• Conflict Resolution between Wildlife and Humans: The foundation advocates for resolving conflicts arising from wind power plants, forestry, and other human activities. It stands on the side of wildlife and promotes wildlife-friendly alternatives[2][3].
• Nature Education: The foundation is engaged in nature education for children and adults to promote understanding and love for nature. Projects like the Sparrow Box and the school camp House Wildtierland in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are examples of this[2][4].

The Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung pursues several sustainable goals and initiatives:

• Land Purchase and Maintenance: The foundation has taken over numerous areas, including eleven areas from the National Natural Heritage, and is committed to the preservation and creation of wilderness areas. An example is the new wilderness area in the Aschhorner Moor near Stade[1][2].
• Research Award: Every two years, the foundation awards a research prize worth 50,000 euros for young wildlife biologists to support application-oriented wildlife ecological research[1][3].
• Model Operation Gut Klepelshagen: The Gut Klepelshagen in Uckermark serves as a model operation that demonstrates that agriculture and forestry can be economically successful with consideration for wildlife[1][2][3].
• Educational and Event Work: The foundation is a co-organizer of the Darßer Nature Film Festival and operates the "Embassy of Wildlife" in Hamburg's HafenCity, which makes nature and wildlife tangible through an exhibition, a learning workshop, and a film room[1][3].

Since July 2024, the foundation's headquarters have been located in the wooden high-rise "Roots" in Hamburg's HafenCity, where the "Embassy of Wildlife" has also been opened. Additionally, the foundation maintains branches at Pariser Platz in Berlin-Mitte and at Gut Klepelshagen in Uckermark[1].

The Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung, with a foundation capital of 114.5 million euros and a balance sheet total of 178 million euros (as of 2023), is one of the largest and most influential nature conservation foundations in Europe[1].

• 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Wildtier_Stiftung
• 2 - https://www.deutschewildtierstiftung.de/ueber-uns/stiftung
• 3 - https://www.rothirsch.org/deutsche-wildtier-stiftung/
• 4 - https://www.betterplace.org/de/organisations/11254-deutsche-wildtier-stiftung
• 5 - https://www.deutschewildtierstiftung.de