Heinz Sielmann Stiftung

The Heinz Sielmann Stiftung, founded on June 2, 1994, by Heinz and Inge Sielmann, operates under the motto "Diversity is our nature" and pursues a clear mission: the protection and preservation of nature as well as the promotion of biodiversity. The foundation strives to lead people, especially children and young people, to a positive relationship with nature through personal experiences and to raise public awareness for nature conservation.

• Nature Conservation and Biodiversity: The foundation manages about 12,000 hectares of its own natural landscapes in Germany and supports a variety of biotope and species protection projects nationwide. By acquiring and leasing large, unfragmented landscapes long-term, refuges for rare animal and plant species are created[2][4].
• Environmental Education: The Regional Environmental Education Center Gut Herbigshagen in Southern Lower Saxony offers extensive environmental education programs, including class trips, day programs for school classes, and holiday care. Biodiversity education and education for sustainable development are the focus[1][4].
• Nature Experience Centers: In addition to Gut Herbigshagen, the foundation operates other nature experience centers in the Döberitzer Heide and in Wanninchen, each offering their own exhibitions and events related to the surrounding natural landscape and the topic of biodiversity[4].

The Heinz Sielmann Stiftung is actively committed to sustainable development and advocates for several central goals:

• Connecting People to Nature: Through personal experiences, people, especially children and young people, should be led to a positive relationship with nature[2][4].
• Preserving Refuges for Rare Species: The preservation of retreat areas for wildlife through the purchase or long-term lease of large habitats is a central goal[2][4].
• Raising Public Awareness for Nature: The foundation promotes society's interest in nature conservation and explains connections as well as concrete measures that encourage participation[2][4].
• Preserving the Sielmann Archive of Nature Films: The unique film heritage of Heinz Sielmann is being digitized, further developed, and preserved for the future to complement public relations work[2][4].

The foundation is active not only in Germany but also internationally and advocates for global sustainability. Its activities cover topics such as energy, nutrition, health, climate, sustainable consumption and production, ecosystems/biodiversity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)[1].

The Heinz Sielmann Stiftung is primarily funded by donations, returns from the foundation's capital, endowments, legacies, grants, and fines. It fulfills the self-commitments of the German Donation Council and the Initiative Transparent Civil Society and carries the DZI Donation Seal[4].

The Heinz Sielmann Stiftung represents a comprehensive and long-term commitment to nature conservation and sustainable development, characterized by a close connection between practical action and educational work.

• 1 - https://www.unesco.de/bildung/bne-akteure/heinz-sielmann-stiftung
• 2 - https://www.sielmann-stiftung.de/natur-schuetzen/grundsaetze
• 3 - https://www.sielmann-stiftung.de/team
• 4 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Sielmann_Stiftung
• 5 - https://www.stiftungen.org/sdg-report/das-stiften-und-die-sdgs/vielfalt-und-kreativitaet/heinz-sielmann-stiftung.html