Species conservation is more important than ever in our densely populated country. It serves to preserve biodiversity and in particular to counteract the decline of species and their populations.
You can find more information on the following topics here:
Like many other animal species, our native amphibian species such as the common toad, the grass frog and the fire salamander are threatened with extinction or highly endangered.
Honeymoon in spring
As soon as temperatures rise again at the end of February/beginning of March, amphibians begin to migrate to their spawning waters. The animals particularly like night temperatures of over 5° C and high humidity. Tadpoles develop from the spawn. The removal of spawn or tadpoles is strictly prohibited.
Return migration and winter quarters
After spawning, the older animals begin their return migration. This lasts until around mid-May. In the case of fire salamanders, even until around mid-June. The smaller amphibians then follow in July/August. The animals spend the winter protected in the ground in what is known as hibernation.
Road closures and other protective measures
Amphibians very often migrate via busy roads and paths. In order to save as many animals as possible from roadkill, road closures and speed restrictions are put in place in spring before the amphibian migration begins, and signs are put up. Drivers and cyclists are asked to be particularly considerate during this time. Driving on country lanes should also be avoided as far as possible during this time. The speed restrictions generally apply between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. in winter and between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. in summer. During the amphibian migration period, radar measurements are mainly carried out along the migration routes. However, other traffic violations, such as ignoring road closures, are also punished.
Volunteer helpers
A particularly important task is the supervision of the hiking sites and the recording of the species and number of migrating animals. In most cases, this is done by volunteers. Special thanks and recognition are therefore due to these tireless helpers. If you have the time and inclination to get involved, please contact your local nature conservation association.
You can inform the Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the District Office of amphibian migration routes and occurrences that are not yet known.
When nature blossoms, you can hear it buzzing again. The season for wasps and hornets has begun. They are protected! They are peaceful, useful and usually not interested in us humans. Help us to protect these very important insects.
If you need help with the "temporary guests", please contact the lower nature conservation authority. Thank you very much for your help.
Information brochure
With our leaflet "Temporary guests: hornets and wasps" (pdf format, 2.15 MB), we would like to introduce you to these animals.
Wasp telephone
If you still have questions about hornets, wasps and the like, please use our wasp telephone. For technical reasons, a dial tone will also appear during the consultation, so please try again later or send us an e-mail.
You can reach the wasp hotline from June 1 to October 31 by calling 07141/144-2255 at the following times:
Monday to Thursday from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm and
Friday from 9.00 am to 11.00 am.
Asian hornet
This non-native invasive species is increasingly spreading in Germany and has already been sighted several times in the Ludwigsburg district. Further information on the Asian hornet and how to report sightings can be found on the websites of the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy and the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for the Environment (LUBW).
Wild bees
Many people are unaware that there are over 500 species of wild bees in Germany in addition to honey bees. Wild bees are a specially protected species.
There are social species that live in annual colonies, such as bumblebees, and there are solitary wild bees, such as the mason bee, which is a single bee that cares for its brood on its own.
Wild bees play an important role in nature, as they are also nectar and pollen collecting insects that pollinate plants. There is a close relationship between "forage plants" and wild bees.
Solitary wild bees are completely harmless. Colony-forming bumblebees can occur in nests in the ground and also in the house, e.g. in the attic area. Although bumblebees can sting, they almost never use their stinger. On the contrary, they are extremely good-natured.
Honey bees
Honey bees are kept by beekeepers as farm animals and are not yet endangered in our country.
Occasionally, swarms of bees can be seen outside beehives, e.g. huddled together on trees. If you see a swarm of bees or wish to remove a swarm of bees, you can contact your local police authority.
Worldwide, many wild animals and plants - including native species - are endangered by illegal trade and some are even threatened with extinction. In order to counteract further dramatic species extinction, national protection of certain endangered species is essential (Washington Convention).
Farming and marketing
The keeping and marketing of protected animals is generally prohibited. Such animals may only be kept at all with appropriate proof (e.g. CITES certificate, proof of origin). You can check the protection status at www.wisia.de. However, not only live animals are protected, but also specimens, products and parts thereof (be careful when traveling on vacation!).
As soon as you have acquired a protected animal, you must register it with the higher nature conservation authority (Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart). You can find the form and further information here.
Inform yourself in good time, preferably before a planned acquisition.
