Restoring natural beauty while conserving the environment
In recent times, there have been frequent complaints about inappropriate behavior by recreation seekers in the Nature Protection Area of Urdenbacher Kämpe, located in Düsseldorf, Germany. To address this issue, the Hunting Association Urdenbach and the General Civic Association Urdenbach e.V. have donated 25 additional signs to help convey regulations in the area.
These signs will include pictograms and text to briefly and clearly convey the regulations in the Nature Protection Area. Visitors are reminded to stay on designated paths, avoid cycling outside marked routes, keep dogs on a leash, and refrain from camping, lighting fires, or picnicking outside designated areas. These rules are essential for maintaining the ecological integrity of sensitive areas like Urdenbacher Kämpe, a protected floodplain bird sanctuary and natural reserve.
Many citizens are unaware of the regulations in Nature Protection Areas and often unintentionally violate them. Violators of protection regulations may face fines under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz) and state conservation laws. Enforcement is usually carried out by local environmental authorities (like the Düsseldorf city environmental office) and park rangers or wardens who patrol the area.
Swimming in the lakes in Düsseldorf, including the Elbsee, is prohibited. Entering the shores of the Elbsee, which lies in a Nature Protection Area, outside existing paths is forbidden. Leaving litter in protected areas tends to attract more litter. Visitors are kindly requested to take their waste with them.
A larger deployment of the Ordnance and Service Department was triggered in the Nature Protection Area Elbsee due to massive violations at the end of June. Around 100 people were found there illegally, and administrative offense proceedings were initiated against them.
Nature Protection Areas are important for plants and wild animals, serving as valuable and vital retreats. Endangered and protected species can be found in these areas. Riders should only use the designated riding paths in Nature Protection Areas, and agricultural areas such as fields and meadows should not be entered or used for playing.
The Nature Protection Area of Urdenbacher Kämpe has seen an increase in visitors following the redesign of the Old Rhine and the improvement of the hiking trail network. Alternatives for enjoying the cool water can be found in the nearby public beach baths at the Unterbacher See.
For exact and updated rules at Urdenbacher Kämpe, consulting Düsseldorf’s official environmental or nature conservation websites is recommended. Nature Protection Areas are marked with green-white, inverted triangular signs, and dog supervision and recallability are especially important during the breeding and nesting season of animals, approximately from March to July.
- To ensure the ongoing health and welfare of the ecosystem within the Nature Protection Area of Urdenbacher Kämpe, visitors are advised to review and adhere to the regulations, which may include staying on designated paths, avoiding certain activities like camping and picnicking outside designated areas, and keeping dogs on leashes.
- Beyond the boundaries of Nature Protection Areas, individuals can still enjoy activities such as horticulture or improving their lifestyles by tending to home and garden, as these practices do not pose a threat to the sensitive environmental-science balance found within protected areas.
