GFN

What GFN does

GFN (Gesellschaft für Freilandökologie und Naturschutzplanung mbH) is a specialized environmental planning and nature conservation consultancy headquartered in Molfsee, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Founded in 1993, the firm delivers ecological field surveys, environmental impact assessments (UVS), FFH compatibility studies (FFH-VP), landscape management plans (LBP), species protection programs, and ecological construction supervision to public agencies and private infrastructure developers. Its client roster spans federal and state authorities (Deutsche Bahn, BMBF, Stiftung Naturschutz Schleswig-Holstein, LKN Husum, Stadt Fehmarn, Wasser- und Bodenverband Schwartau), grid operators and utilities (TenneT Offshore GmbH for HelWin/SylWin and NordLink interconnector works; E.ON Hanse for the St. Peter-Ording–Helgoland cable), and conservation foundations, covering rail, offshore wind, HVDC interconnectors, coastal protection, and moor renaturation projects.

The company operates a unified service architecture: five integrated service lines — field surveys, environmental assessment and planning, construction supervision, R&D, and consulting/project support — are delivered across eight thematic focus areas including renewable energy (Regenerative Energien), power lines (Energietrassen), transport routes (Verkehrswege), coastal protection (Küstenschutz), conservation planning (Naturschutzplanung), species protection (Artenschutzmaßnahmen), environmental monitoring (Umweltbeobachtung), and environmental data management (Umweltdaten-Management). Technical capabilities include Avisoft-based acoustic bat detection installed on wind turbine gondolas meeting BfN/ProBat standards, large-scale species translocation (1,000+ sand lizards relocated since 2014), moor rewetting execution (≈280 hectares at Offenbüttel Moor, 2013–2014), and environmental database management. Delivery is executed through the Molfsee headquarters plus partner offices GFN-Umweltplanung Munich (southern Germany) and GFN-Umweltpartner Hinzdorf/Prignitz, supported by research collaborations with Universität Kiel, Universität Trier, Universität Kopenhagen, Helmholtz-Zentrum Leipzig, SICONA (Luxembourg), and the Musée national d'histoire naturelle Luxembourg.

GFN generates revenue through project-based, quote-driven consulting engagements under multi-year contract cadences, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is primarily B2G (business-to-government) through public tender participation, supplemented by direct B2B relationships with infrastructure enterprises and energy providers. The company employs 200+ specialists across biology, geography, geo-ecology, and landscape planning disciplines, organized into 11 thematic departments each led by a department head (Fachbereichsleitung). Ownership is private and managing-director-led with no external institutional capital; leadership transitioned from co-founder Christof Martin to Christoph Herden and Jörg Rassmus in early 2022, and was expanded to four Managing Directors (adding Sigrun Geiger and Patrick Neumann) in April 2026. The firm holds SCL Light workplace safety certification, supports a Datenschutz and Hinweisgeberportal compliance infrastructure, and is registered with Amtsgericht Kiel (HRB 3617).

Name

GFN

Legal name

Gesellschaft für Freilandökologie und Naturschutzplanung mbH

Website

https://gfnmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GFN is a Germany-based environmental planning consultancy founded in 1993 providing ecological surveys, impact assessments, species protection programs, and construction supervision. The 200+ employee firm serves government agencies, grid operators, and infrastructure developers on rail, offshore wind, HVDC, coastal protection, and conservation projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAJAH

Sustainability, ESG & Climate Risk Advisory

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting

SECONDARYBPADALAF

Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYEUAHABAG

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) & Climate Regulatory Compliance (Mandatory Reporting, Cap-and-Trade Compliance)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Regulatory Compliance & Auditing (Air, Water, Waste)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Nature conservation planning
• Ecological field surveys
• Environmental impact assessment
• Species protection programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Molfsee

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Environmental Planning and Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for environmental and nature conservation planning, including ecological surveys, impact assessments, construction supervision, and research projects for government agencies, project developers, and conservation organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

GFN is a German environmental planning and nature conservation consultancy delivering field surveys, ecological impact assessments, species protection programs, environmental construction supervision, and research services to infrastructure developers, government agencies, energy companies, and conservation foundations. Services are organized into five service lines across eight thematic focus areas (renewable energy, power lines, transport routes, coastal protection, conservation planning, species protection, environmental monitoring, and environmental data management), supported by a 200+ team of biologists, geographers, and landscape planners.

Product overview

GFN (Gesellschaft für Freilandökologie und Naturschutzplanung mbH) is an environmental planning and nature conservation consultancy offering a unified service portfolio rather than a software product platform. The core services include five integrated service lines: Recherche & Erfassungen (field surveys and data collection), Analyse, Bewertung & Planung (environmental assessment and planning), Naturschutzfachliche Baubegleitung (environmental construction supervision), Forschung und Konzepte (research and development), and Beratung & Vorhabenbegleitung (consulting and project support). These services are organized around eight thematic focus areas: Regenerative Energien, Energietrassen, Verkehrswege, Küstenschutz, Naturschutzplanung, Artenschutzmaßnahmen, Umweltbeobachtung, and Umweltdaten-Management. The company serves as a full-service environmental planning partner from data collection through project implementation, supporting infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects across Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recherche & Erfassungen (Field Surveys and Data Collection) Field surveys and data collection services for environmental data including flora, fauna, biotopes, and habitat types. Covers vegetation, birds, bats, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects for project developers, government agencies, and conservation organisations.
• Analyse, Bewertung & Planung (Environmental Assessment and Planning) Environmental assessment, impact studies, and planning services including UVS (Umweltverträglichkeitsstudien), FFH-VP (FFH-Verträglichkeitsprüfungen), LBP (Landschaftspflegerische Begleitpläne), and species protection assessments for infrastructure and conservation projects.
• Naturschutzfachliche Baubegleitung (Environmental Construction Supervision) Environmental construction supervision ensuring compliance with nature conservation requirements during building projects, including habitat protection and species monitoring for infrastructure developers and public agencies.
• Forschung und Konzepte (Research and Concepts) Research and development services including F+E projects, regional planning, guideline creation, and environmental data preparation for policymakers, federal agencies (e.g., BfN, BMBF, Umweltbundesamt), and academic partners.
• Beratung & Vorhabenbegleitung (Consulting and Project Support) Strategic consulting services for project applications, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory approval processes, supporting project developers and government agencies through permitting and implementation.
• Regenerative Energien (Renewable Energy) Specialised services for renewable energy projects including wind power, solar PV, and biogas facilities — covering site selection, species surveys, and construction permits for energy project developers.
• Energietrassen (Power Lines) Environmental planning services for power line projects including overhead lines, underground cables, and converter stations for grid expansion, supporting grid operators such as TenneT and Statnett.
• Verkehrswege (Transport Routes) Environmental planning for transportation infrastructure including roads, railways, waterways, and ecological measures such as amphibian tunnels, supporting organisations like Deutsche Bahn.
• Küstenschutz (Coastal Protection) Coastal protection planning services including dike reinforcement, restoration, groynes, beach profiling, and sand nourishment projects for coastal management authorities.
• Naturschutzplanung (Conservation Planning) Conservation planning including management plans for protected areas, ecocontingency planning, renaturation concepts, and moor rewetting for government agencies and conservation foundations.
• Artenschutzmaßnahmen (Species Protection Programmes) Species protection programmes including breeding, relocation, habitat restoration, and artificial nesting sites for endangered species, supporting infrastructure projects and conservation organisations.
• Umweltbeobachtung (Environmental Monitoring) Environmental monitoring services including species monitoring, FFH-area monitoring, and success control for compensation areas for government agencies and infrastructure projects.
• Umweltdaten-Management (Environmental Data Management) Environmental data management services including MS-Access database preparation, digital mapping, and registry systems for compensation areas, cultural landscapes, and renaturation measures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bat surveys completed at over 200 wind turbines in Schleswig-Holstein since 2009
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GFN-Umweltplanung MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner office for regional projects in southern Germany, collaborating on environmental planning assignments.
• GFN-Umweltpartner Hinzdorf/PrignitzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner office for regional projects in the Prignitz region, collaborating on environmental planning assignments.
• Ingenieurbüro Meyer (Eckernförde)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater engineering partner for moor renaturation projects. Collaborated on Offenbüttel Moor restoration project (2012-2015) and Dellstedter Ostmoor planning.
• Heiko Grell (formerly GGV-Freie Biologen)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaborator on FFH management plans and moor renaturation projects. Now employee of GFN.
• Planula (Planning Office)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanning office providing ecological construction supervision for Auenprojekt Schwartau river restoration. GFN conducts species protection monitoring in coordination.
• Universität Kiel (Christian-Albrechts-Universität)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on MUTREWA BMBF-funded project investigating pesticide impacts on macrophytes in small water bodies in the Kielstau catchment area.
• Biologische Station SICONA (Luxembourg)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for vegetation monitoring of selected low moor complexes in Luxembourg. Collaboration since 2016.
• Musée national d'histoire naturelle LuxembourgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for vegetation monitoring project in Luxembourg low moor complexes.
• Universität Trier (Lehrstuhl für Geobotanik)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for Luxembourg low moor vegetation monitoring project.
• Universität KopenhagenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on nitrogen deposition in FFH protected areas project comparing approaches across Denmark, Germany, and Netherlands.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing legal perspective on nitrogen deposition in Natura 2000 areas project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis Germany: Global design and consultancy firm with German environmental practice covering impact assessments, permitting, and nature conservation for large infrastructure projects - overlapping with GFN but operating at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Ramboll Germany: Large international engineering and environmental consultancy with a German practice offering environmental impact assessments, biodiversity services, and infrastructure planning - broader portfolio but overlaps with GFN in energy and transport project environmental work.

Direct peers

• Froelich & Sporbeck GmbH: Established German environmental planning firm with comparable service portfolio covering environmental impact studies, landscape management plans, and ecological construction supervision for transport and energy infrastructure. Direct competitor in B2G tenders.
• BHF Bendfeldt Herrmann Franke Landschaftsarchitekten PartG mbB: German landscape and environmental planning consultancy working on comparable infrastructure projects including transport routes, energy grids, and coastal protection, with similar FFH and species protection expertise.
• PGNU Planungsgruppe Natur und Umwelt: German environmental and nature conservation planning firm providing species surveys, FFH management plans, and ecological construction supervision services to government agencies and infrastructure developers in similar markets.
• EGL Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH: German planning consultancy covering landscape, environmental, and infrastructure planning with comparable expertise in FFH management, environmental impact studies, and ecological construction supervision across northern Germany.
• Bosch & Partner GmbH: German environmental and landscape planning consultancy offering similar services including environmental impact assessments, FFH compatibility studies, and species protection for infrastructure projects across Germany. Directly competes with GFN in the same public-tender market.
• Planungsgruppe Ökologie+Umwelt GmbH: Specialized German environmental planning consultancy offering ecological field surveys, environmental impact assessments, and species protection programs for infrastructure developers - directly overlapping with GFN's core service lines.
• Kortemeier Brokmann Landschaftsarchitekten: German landscape architecture and environmental planning consultancy with overlapping expertise in landscape management plans, ecological surveys, and infrastructure-project environmental supervision, serving similar public and private developer clients.

Regional players

• Biologische Station SICONA: Luxembourg-based biological monitoring station that collaborates with GFN on cross-border vegetation monitoring projects; comparable expertise in species surveys and FFH habitat management but focused on the Luxembourg market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GFN