The Bavarian Society for the protection of birds

Happy LBV staff at LBV headquarters in Hilpoltstein, Germany

The Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern e. V. (LBV) is the oldest non-profit organisation  for nature conservation in Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1909.

Facts:

Approximately 60.000 members in the entire Bavaria, subdivided in approximately 350 district groups, local groups and youth groups, working on honorary basis. The Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern e. V. is the largest organisation for the preservation of species and the protection of habitats in Bavaria.   Staff (also unpaid employees): 133 Fulltime employees: 48 employees, 60 conscience objectors, 7 probationers, 3 employees absolving a voluntary social year, 14 parttime employees/employees working for a certain period

Aims and strategies

LBV owns some plots at the Staffelberg hill in Franconia

The principal aim is to ensure the maintenance of the native fauna and flora by protection of their natural habitats.

Strategies:

  • Purchase and lease of threatened areas,
  • habitat management,
  • projects for preservation of species and habitats,
  • nature research,
  • statements on environmental impacts,
  • political lobby work,
  • public relations,
  • youth work,
  • environmental education in schools and out of schools.  

Practical nature conservation

The white stork. Traditionally one species LBV cares of.
  • Conservation and creation of nature reserves for plants and animals by purchase and lease (1.800 hectares)
  • management of nature reserves and other protected areas (e.g. Natura 2000)
  • landscape conservation by grazing
  • preparation of expertises on environmental impacts
  • plantations, creation of wetland habitats and ponds,
    mowing of meadows etc.
  • animal and plant census
  • monitoring programms
  • nest observation of endangered species
  • development and realization of special projects for species preservation (for example white stork, eagle owl, peregrine falcon, Montagu’s harrier, ortolan bunting)
  • development and realization of large projects with the European Union and the Federal Environment Ministry as well as the Federal State of Bavaria (renaturalisation of a fertile plain, restoration of mires, optimization of tufa springs etc.)
  • measures for the protection of springs (Bavaria action plan for springs)
  • development of concepts for a natural management of the rural areas ·   
  • site managers in ecologically important areas (Allgäuer Hochalpen, Ammersee, cultural landscape near Würzburg etc.)

Nature conservation policy

  • Statements on law submissions ·     
  • political lobbywork ·     
  • information of the public by press, broadcast, television as well as by brochures, leaflets and exhibitions.

Environmental education/workshops

An environmental activity in Helmbrechts, one of the LBV enironmental education centres
  • Organisation of workshops for professionals and non-professionals
  • environmental programs for children and adults
  • cooperation with teachers and schools
  • organisation of events in the country and cities.

Naturschutzjugend im LBV (LBV´s youth organisation)

The Naturschutzjugend pleads impudently and consequently for nature: by exhibition, action camps, taking measures for the protection of habitats and much more. More than 1/6 of the members of the LBV are under 26 years and thus part of the Naturschutzjugend. Many of the 10.000 children and young persons are actively working in the entire Bavaria in approximately 150 children groups and youth groups.

International activities

The great bittern
  • Hungary (cooperation with MME, BirdLife Partner in Hungary) - PHARE-Project „Ecologically Orientated Spatial Development of the Tokaij Region“ (including habitat management, species conservation, environmental education, environmental friendly agriculture, eco-tourism, etc.) - Purchase of land (1.300 hectares) ·     
  • Cooperation with international partners (e.g. RSPB) in context of a LIFE-project concerning the Great Bittern in fish-ponds ·     
  • Corncrake: Co-ordination of LIFE-application and international workshop · 
  • Cooperation with BirdLife network and other NGOs for the correct implementation of the EU Habitats and Bird Directives ·     
  • Alpine springs (http://www.alpenquellen.com/englisch) ·     
  • International Conference “Biodiversity in the Alps”(www.lbv.de/modules/alt/pm/2005/A-49-05_3.pdf -) ·     
  • GUA-Project Protection of marsh areas in the Danube floodplains near Pfatter 1/1986-11/1990 ·     
  • GUA-Project Protection of the white stork in Bavaria 1/1988-12/1994 ·     
  • LIFE97 NAT/D/004222 Measures for supporting and increasing populations of Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) in bavarian fishponds. 1997-2001 ·     
  • LIFE03 NAT/D/000002 Measures of optimisation of petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) and their surround. 2003-2007  

Annual budget

Annual budget volume: approximately 6 million €