The Nature Conservation Center is an association of representatives of nature conservation associations, the Märkischer Kreis, the local community, farmers, foresters, hunters and fishermen in the Märkischer Kreis.
Together, they have set themselves the goal of preserving or creating near-natural landscapes. However, the special thing about it is not the goal, but the way:
The various social groups work together in the general meeting and on the board. This cooperation between nature conservation, land users and politicians is perceived as a fair and balanced structure; it creates trust and greatly promotes the practical success of the work. The following also applies here: "Concordia res parvae crescunt" Unity makes small things grow.
The Nature Conservation Center is mainly funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Märkischer Kreis. In the face of massive funding cuts, significant and increasingly larger proportions have to be generated from own income such as events, donations, literature sales, third-party funded projects, etc.
The Nature Conservation Center currently employs four permanent staff, who are supported in their practical work by 2-3 federal volunteers. In addition, interns and students from various universities regularly visit the center.
The Sauerland is part of a landscape that humans have been shaping and using for centuries. On the one hand, valuable habitats have been destroyed, while on the other, richly structured new habitats, such as orchid meadows, juniper heaths and orchards, have been created through cultivation.
The nature conservation center offers numerous events throughout the year. Information on this can be found on the homepage of the nature conservation center (Text: Naturschutzzentrum MK).
As a direct marketer, the nature conservation center offers fruit and juices from its own orchards:
- Apple juice naturally cloudy
- Apple-pear juice
- Apple-elderberry juice
- Apple-sour cherry juice
- Apple and mango juice
- Sauerland apple brandy
- Sauerland pear brandy
- Sauerland plum brandy
- Sauerland quince brandy
- Dessert fruit from orchards (in fall according to availability)