NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne

What NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne does

The NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne (legal name: NABU-Naturschutzstation Leverkusen – Köln e.V.) is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2012 and headquartered at Stauffenbergstraße 17 in Leverkusen, with a second office in Cologne. Operating as a biological station under the NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) umbrella, the organization delivers conservation services across the Leverkusen-Cologne region of North Rhine-Westphalia, focusing on biodiversity protection, habitat management, species monitoring, and environmental education. Core service lines include Streuobstwiesen (orchard meadow) preservation, amphibian protection (notably the Wechselkröte project), wildflower meadow advisory work for the city of Cologne under the Stadtgrün naturnah initiative, biotope management, and nature pedagogy programs for children, youth, and adults. Notable technical assets include a GIS-based Obstbaumkataster cataloguing 1,700+ fruit trees in Cologne and 2,000 in Leverkusen, plus specialized domain methods such as Mahdgutübertragung (hay seed transfer) and the use of Regiosaatgut (regionally adapted wild plant seeds).

The station's revenue model is a hybrid of project grants, donations, recurring sponsorships, and small-scale product sales. Roughly 80% of operations is financed through funding from municipal partners (Stadt Köln, Stadt Leverkusen), regional authorities (Landschaftsverband Rheinland / LVR), and foundations (NRW-Stiftung), typically tied to discrete conservation projects such as Fit im Schnitt orchard training, Bergheimer Dreieck fruit variety preservation, and LandschaftsHeldInnen landowner engagement. Direct-to-public revenue comes from the Obstbaumpatenschaft tree sponsorship program (EUR 80/year for 5 years, ~2,000 trees available), sale of heritage Streuobst-Saft apple juice in 5-liter cartons, and public donations via Sparkasse Leverkusen. Distribution is regional and direct: municipal advisory contracts, volunteer education programs (FÖJ/BFD), on-site events such as the Saatgutfestival, orchard hiking trails, and earned media (ZDF, WDR). The station works with a small team (1–10 employees) plus a board structure (Chairman Erich Schulz, deputies Horst Betram and Thomas Wirtz) and an extensive partner network including Kölner Zoo, TU Braunschweig, VERO, Deutsche Bahn, NaturGut Ophoven, and local NABU chapters.

Name

NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne

Legal name

NABU-Naturschutzstation Leverkusen – Köln e.V.

Website

https://nabu-bslk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne is a non-profit biological station delivering biodiversity conservation, habitat management, amphibian and orchard preservation, environmental education, and species monitoring services to municipalities, landowners, and the public across the Leverkusen-Cologne region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Facilities Maintenance & Environmental Services (Waste, Water, Trail Maintenance, Restrooms) (THAAAGAI)

Keywords

• Nature conservation services
• Species protection programs
• Habitat management
• Environmental education
• Urban biodiversity

Headquarters

HQ city

Leverkusen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Project Funding and Grants: The station receives funding from government bodies (Landschaftsverband Rheinland, NRW-Stiftung, cities of Köln and Leverkusen) and EU programs for conservation projects.
2. Obstbaumpatenschaft (Tree Sponsorship): Tree sponsorship program where donors pay 400 EUR over 5 years (80 EUR annually) for maintenance of old fruit trees. Patrons receive annual harvest participation.
3. Donations: Public donations for species conservation, managed through Sparkasse Leverkusen (IBAN: DE29 3755 1440 0100 1260 36).
4. Product Sales: Sale of Streuobst-Saft (orchard apple juice) in 5-liter cartons, and pomological publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne provides professional habitat management, species protection, and environmental education services in the Leverkusen and Cologne region. Core offerings include orchard meadow (Streuobstwiesen) conservation, amphibian protection with creation of stepping-stone biotopes and breeding ponds, advisory services for species-rich urban greenery, species data collection and monitoring, biotope management support for municipal and private actors, and nature education programs for children, youth, and adults.

Product overview

The NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne offers a comprehensive portfolio of conservation services and nature education programs. The organization operates as a unified service provider focused on biodiversity conservation in urban and peri-urban areas. Core offerings include orchard meadow conservation (Streuobstwiesen), amphibian protection, species-rich urban greenery advisory services, and biotope management. The station also conducts extensive species data collection and monitoring, provides nature education for children and adults, and operates specific projects such as the Wechselkröten (green toad) conservation initiative. Additional services include wildlife rescue coordination, fruit tree hiking trails, tree sponsorship programs, and fruit tree care training. The station partners with municipal authorities, conservation organizations, and research institutions to implement conservation measures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Streuobstwiesen Conservation (Orchard Meadow Conservation) Conservation and nature-appropriate maintenance of orchard meadows (Streuobstwiesen) in Leverkusen and Cologne, preserving traditional high-stem fruit tree landscapes for biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• Amphibian Protection Service Protection of amphibians in urban environments through creation of stepping-stone biotopes and establishment of suitable breeding ponds in Leverkusen and Cologne.
• Species-Rich Urban Greenery Advisory (Stadtgrün naturnah) Advisory services for the city of Cologne under the 'Stadtgrün naturnah' initiative to convert species-poor park lawns into flower-rich wildflower meadows, including the planned 6+ hectares in Ossendorf and Vogelsang parks.
• Species Data Collection and Monitoring Data collection on occurrence, distribution, and abundance of approximately 71,500 native animal, plant, and fungi species in the region, and on quality and changes in ecosystems and habitats, with actionable recommendations.
• Biotope Management Service Professional management of biotopes and habitats, supporting municipal and private actors in planning and implementing nature conservation measures.
• Nature Education Programs Environmental education through nature pedagogy offerings for children, youth, and adults, including school programs, FÖJ/BFD volunteer placements, nature excursions, and educational offerings at St. Engelbert facility.
• Wechselkröten Conservation Project (Green Toad Protection) Species protection project for the green toad (Wechselkröte) in Cologne, involving breeding habitat creation, population monitoring, and reintroduction efforts in cooperation with Cologne Zoo and TU Braunschweig; awarded UN Decade on Biological Diversity in 2019.
• Fruit Tree Care Training (Obstbaumwart-Ausbildung) Multi-year training program for fruit tree care specialists (Obstbaumwärt*innen) covering orchard establishment and maintenance, run from 2020 to 2023 as part of LVR project 'Fit im Schnitt'.
• Sortenerhaltungskultur Bergheimer Dreieck (Fruit Variety Conservation Culture) Rhine fruit variety archive project at Bergheimer Dreieck, planned to include 164 historic fruit varieties with connections to the Rhineland, in cooperation with Jüdische Liberalen Gemeinde Gescher LaMassoret e.V.
• Wildlife Rescue Assistance (Wildtier-Hilfe) Coordination and guidance for citizens who find wild animals needing help, with contact information and handling procedures for various species, including a dedicated wild animal hotline.
• Orchard Hiking Trails (Obstwanderwege) Signposted hiking trails through orchard meadows in Leverkusen and surrounding areas (Leichlingen, Witzhelden) with educational signage about orchard landscapes.
• Tree Sponsorship (Obstbaumpatenschaft) Sponsorship program for old fruit trees in Leverkusen, allowing donors to support professional maintenance of nearly 2,000 heritage trees over a 5-year period at 80 EUR annually (400 EUR total), with annual harvest participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,700 fruit trees documented in Cologne via GIS-based mapping
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VERO (Verband der Bau- und Rohstoffindustrie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Association of construction raw materials industry. Since 2017, partnership to support 'Abgrabungsamphibien' (extraction amphibians) through voluntary conservation measures in gravel pits and quarries. Includes development of guidelines for operators.
• Stadt KölncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for urban nature conservation projects. The station advises the city on converting species-poor park lawns into wildflower meadows under the 'Stadtgrün naturnah' initiative, and manages protected areas including the Kölner Rheinaue.
• Stadt LeverkusencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support for nature conservation activities. The city offers the Obstbaumpatenschaft (tree sponsorship) program together with the station.
• Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funding partner supporting multiple projects including 'Fit im Schnitt' orchard maintenance training, Regiosaatgut promotion, and the LVR-Netzwerk Kulturlandschaft. Provides both financial support and strategic direction.
• NRW-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting nature conservation projects in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Kölner ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in amphibian conservation. Collaborated on Wechselkröte (edible frog) breeding and release program; Zoo provides aquarium facilities for tadpole rearing. Joint recipient of UN-Dekade Biologische Vielfalt award.
• NaturGut OphovenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education facility in Leverkusen, partner for the Leverkusener Obstweg (orchard trail) and nature education activities.
• WupperverbandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater management organization in the Wupper region, partner for watershed and habitat conservation projects.
• NABU Stadtverband KölncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NABU chapter in Cologne, joint partner for urban nature projects, wild bee conservation initiatives, and the Saatgutfestival.
• NABU Rhein-Berg-KreisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal NABU chapter covering Rhein-Berg district, collaborating on regional conservation initiatives.
• NABU/ BUND LeverkusenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCombined local NABU and BUND chapter in Leverkusen, partner for community conservation activities.
• Deutsche Bahn (DB Netz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on sand lizard population monitoring on Deutsche Bahn properties in Cologne.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stiftung Natur und Umwelt NRW: NRW-based foundation supporting nature and environment projects across the same state geography. Comparable as a grant-making and project-operating peer working with municipalities, biological stations, and NABU/BUND on biodiversity and education programs.
• Heinz Sielmann Stiftung: Major German nature conservation foundation funding and operating biodiversity projects, nature reserves, and education programs. Comparable as a nonprofit pursuing species protection (e.g., Sielmann's Naturlandschaften), public engagement, and partnerships with municipalities and zoos.
• Naturschutzstation Niederrhein: NRW-based nature conservation station with overlapping species portfolio (amphibians, meadow/grassland conservation) and municipal/regional partnerships. Directly comparable as a small-team biological station operating under similar funding and volunteer models.
• Biologische Station Mittlere Wupper: Adjacent NRW biological station operating under the same legal/economic model (e.V., grant-funded, municipal advisory services, species monitoring). Comparable in scale, geographic setting (urban/peri-urban Wupper region), and core offerings around Streuobst, amphibians, and meadow conservation.
• Biologische Station Bonn / Rhein-Erft: Neighboring NRW biological station running the same German 'Biologische Station' model with municipal partners, species monitoring, biotope management, and environmental education. Directly comparable in funding mix (LVR, municipal grants), team size, and service portfolio.
• Naturstiftung David: Thuringia-based nature foundation focused on habitat protection, species conservation, and landscape stewardship. Comparable as a nonprofit running similar biotope management, species monitoring, and public engagement activities with regional partners and volunteers.
• NABU Nordrhein-Westfalen: State-level NABU affiliate covering the same NRW geography. Operates parallel biological stations and conservation projects with municipalities and foundations, making it the closest structural peer in terms of funding sources, regional scope, and programmatic mix (orchards, meadows, amphibians).

Regional players

• Landesbund für Natur- und Vogelschutz in Bayern (LBV): Bavarian state-level NABU partner running biological stations, species protection (including 'Stunde der Gartenvögel', which NABU Leverkusen–Köln also participates in), and environmental education. Directly comparable in operational model but in a different federal state.

Others

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): National umbrella organization for German nature conservation and NABU's parent affiliation. Comparable in mission (biodiversity, species protection, environmental education) and brand; operates at federal rather than municipal level and provides infrastructure that this regional station leverages.

Broad incumbents

• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): Germany's largest broad-based environmental NGO, operating across nature protection, climate, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable as a nonprofit competitor for grants, members, and municipal conservation contracts, but with a much wider portfolio beyond species/habitat work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NaturschutzstationLeverkusenKoeln

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NABU nature conservation station in Leverkusen-Cologne