Landesamt für Umwelt, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz (LUGV)

Department Ecology, Nature Conservation and Water - ÖNW

Securing biological diversity and use of water as well as of water bodies in a way compatible with nature are duties of environmental protection which are inseparably linked. Ecology deals with the interrelationships between the inanimate and animate environments - i. e., of soil, water, air and climate, animals and plants - as well as the consequences of human activities. Understanding these links is conditional for effective protection of the environment.

The department of ecology, nature conservation and water (OeNW) bases its efforts on a  comprehensive analysis when tackling core responsibilities in the context of nature conservation and water body protection. Its integrative efforts combine different disciplines and reach across different environments.

Work includes implementing the European Habitats Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Bird Protection Directive of the EU (Special Protection Area - SPA) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the state of Brandenburg.

The following are additional focal points of activity of this department:

• maintaining biological diversity by protecting species and habitats;
• monitoring the trade in and the keeping of protected animal and plant species under the  Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES);
• landscape planning, regulating interventions, compatibility testing under the Habitats Directive, strategic environmental testing;
• statewide control of landscape management measures (contractual conservation of nature, farming and environmental operations and landscape management);
• observing the environment, sustainability strategy for the state of Brandenburg, environmental indicators;
• environmental toxicology (matters concerning the effects of environmental toxins);
• genetically-modified organisms (GMO), Environmental Information Act (UIG);
• water body protection and water management, monitoring water quality of ground and surface waters plus ecological water body design and renaturalisation;
• working out concepts, plans and programmes for floodwater protection in the state of Brandenburg;
• repairing, reconstructing and building new water management and floodwater protection facilities;
• maintaining water bodies and working on landscape water budgets;
• preparing enforcement of legislation on water for projects in the fields of water supply, waste water disposal and indirect discharge;
• charging for stream diversion, waste water levies;
• subject-specific evaluation of applications for grants;
• legal supervision over water and soil associations.

Additionally, the department is also responsible for the Buckow/Havelland bird protection station of the state of Brandenburg and for the Zippelsfoerde (for mammals, molluscs and fish) and Rhinluch (for amphibians and reptiles) nature conservation stations.

How to reach contacts and how to get there in the department:
  contact persons and list of addresses
  map to location Potsdam, OT Groß Glienicke

Further Information:
  Nature and Landscape Conservation
  Brandenburg State Bird Conservation Centre
  Water body protection and water management

04.11.2010