Biologische Station

What Biologische Station does

Biologische Station im Kreis Düren e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Nideggen, Germany, operating as a regional nature conservation institution within the administrative district of Kreis Düren in North Rhine-Westphalia. The organization employs 17 staff and is governed by chairperson Sabine Wichmann. Its functional scope spans species protection, habitat and nature-area management, environmental education, and agricultural consulting for local farmers, with the latter extending conservation work into the productive landscape rather than confining it to protected areas. The institution is also active in youth engagement, hosting FÖJ (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr) participants continuously since 2002.

The organization's underlying operational model is a publicly funded, non-commercial service body. It does not sell products or charge market prices; rather, it is sustained by a portfolio of public grants — primarily from the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR) and LEADER regional development programs — supplemented by project-specific funding and donations. Service delivery is hybrid: in-field conservation work (species and habitat management), on-site public engagement (notably the Rur & Fels exhibition at a repurposed train station in Nideggen-Brück), and advisory work with farmers and municipalities. The business model carries no commercial pricing, no transactional revenue, and no SaaS or product licensing; it is structurally a grant-subsidized service organization.

The organization's customer base is bifurcated. Downstream beneficiaries — general public, school groups, farmers, and municipalities across the Eifel-Rur region — are highly diversified. Upstream, however, the organization depends on a narrow set of public funding sources, creating concentrated funder exposure. Strategic posture is collaborative rather than competitive: the organization is networked with peer Biologische Stationen in Bonn/Rhein-Erft, Euskirchen, and Aachen, with WILA Bonn, and with Naturgarten e.V., positioning itself as the regional node in a larger Rhineland conservation ecosystem. GDPR compliance is maintained, and no AI/ML or proprietary technology platform is part of the operating model.

Name

Biologische Station

Legal name

Biologische Station im Kreis Düren e.V.

Website

https://biostation-dueren.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Biologische Station im Kreis Düren e.V. is a non-profit nature conservation organization in Nideggen, Germany, employing 17 staff to deliver species protection, habitat management, environmental education, and agricultural consulting across the Kreis Düren region, funded primarily by LVR and LEADER public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Nature conservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Species protection monitoring
• Habitat area management
• Agricultural conservation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Nideggen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and memberships: The organization collects donations from the public and has members in its supporting association (Förderverein). Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is recognized as a charitable non-profit. The organization also has a PayPal donation option on its website.
2. Public funding and project grants: The station operates numerous funded projects supported by LEADER programs (European agricultural fund for rural development), LVR (Landschaftsverband Rheinland), and other public bodies. Revenue comes via project grants for nature conservation, species protection, environmental education, and agricultural consulting work.
3. FÖJ program participation fees: The Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) is a youth volunteer program administered through LVR. While participants are not charged fees, the program generates funding for the station through LVR support for hosting FÖJ volunteers since 2002.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Biologische Station Düren delivers nature conservation services, environmental education, agricultural consulting, and protected area management across the Kreis Düren district and surrounding Eifel region. Its work spans species protection (beaver, fire salamander, bats, wryneck, eagle owl, wolf), habitat management across multiple Schutzgebiete, the FÖJ youth volunteer program, school and inclusive nature education (Natürlich Inklusiv), farmer advisory services for contract nature conservation, and community events such as orchard pruning courses and plant exchange markets.

Product overview

Biologische Station Düren is a non-profit environmental conservation organization (e.V.) operating as a single integrated offering rather than a platform. The organization provides nature conservation services including species protection (beaver, fire salamander, bats, yellow-bellied toad, swallows, little owl, eagle owl, wolf), environmental education, agricultural consulting, protected area management, and community engagement through projects, events, and the Rur & Fels exhibition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rur & Fels Exhibition A permanent, barrier-free exhibition located in the old train station at Nideggen-Brück that showcases the unique Buntsandsteinfelsen (colored sandstone cliffs) along the Rur river and the diverse wildlife and plants inhabiting these areas, including the wall lizard (Mauereidechse) and eagle owl (Uhu). Open to the public with prior registration and free admission.
• Environmental Education Programs (Umweltbildung) Curriculum-aligned nature education programs for school groups, families, and inclusive groups, including the 'Natürlich Inklusiv' inclusive nature education project offering hands-on environmental learning experiences in the Kreis Düren region.
• Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) Youth Volunteer Program A youth volunteer program offering participants hands-on experience in nature conservation work, administered through the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR). The Biologische Station Düren has been an approved FÖJ placement site since 2002.
• Agricultural Conservation Consulting (Landwirtschaft / Beratung) Advisory services for farmers and landowners on contract nature conservation (Vertragsnaturschutz), agri-environmental measures, landscape maintenance, hedgerow and orchard management, and habitat creation on farmland in the Kreis Düren region.
• Species Protection Programs (Artenschutz) and Protected Area Management Expert species monitoring and conservation programs for beaver, fire salamander, bats, yellow-bellied toad, swallows, little owl, wryneck, eagle owl, and wolf, combined with management and monitoring of multiple designated nature protection areas (Schutzgebiete) including Drover Heide, Muschelkalkkuppen bei Embken, Buntsandsteinfelsen im Rurtal, Indemündung, and Ginnicker Bruch.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLVR is the regional authority that administers and funds the Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) volunteer program. The Biologische Station Düren has been an approved FÖJ placement site since 2002, hosting youth volunteers for nature conservation work. LVR also supports the station through project funding and the 'Natürlich Inklusiv' inclusive environmental education project.
• Biologische Station Bonn/Rhein-ErftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on the LEADER project 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf' alongside Biologische Stationen Düren, Euskirchen, and StädteRegion Aachen. Jointly organizes online lectures, workshops, and citizen science programs on nature conservation, species protection, and sustainable gardening. Also cooperates on the 'Lebensnetz Börde' project.
• Biologische Station EuskirchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly operates the LEADER project 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf' with other biological stations in the Eifel region. Cooperates on cross-regional nature conservation initiatives, online educational events, and the 'Zukunftsdörfer' (Future Villages) LEADER project covering the Eifel, Zülpicher Börde, and Rheinisches Revier.
• Biologische Station Aachen / StädteRegion AachencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LEADER project 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf', working together on nature conservation vor der Haustür (at the doorstep) initiatives across the Eifel region.
• WILA Bonn e.V. (Wissenschaftsladen Bonn)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on the 'Tausende Gärten Tausende Arten' project and joint online events. The WILA Bonn contributes expertise in citizen science and sustainable gardening, while the Biologische Station provides regional conservation knowledge.
• Naturgarten e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in station events and plant exchange markets as an information partner, promoting naturalistic gardening practices and native plant gardening to the public.
• Victor-Rolff-Stiftung (Burg Gladbach)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates on open monument day events at Burg Gladbach, with the Biologische Station providing ecological guided tours of the estate grounds as part of heritage and nature events.
• LEADER-Regionen (Eifel, Zülpicher Börde, Rheinisches Revier an Inde und Rur)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe station participates in multiple LEADER projects ('Zukunftsdörfer', 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf', 'Dorf Aktiv', 'Dorf BioTop!') funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. LEADER is a funding mechanism enabling the station to offer free workshops, courses, and events to the public.
• LVR Freilichtmuseum KommernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on the annual 'Nachhaltiges Gärtnern' (Sustainable Gardening) event at the open-air museum, where the Biologische Station and other biological stations set up information stands promoting native plants, seed conservation, and biodiversity in gardens.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Biologische Station StädteRegion Aachen: Partner biological station in the StädteRegion Aachen. Operates the same non-profit biological station model focused on regional species protection, habitat management, and public environmental education programs.
• Biologische Station Kreis Steinfurt: North Rhine-Westphalia biological station operating the same regional conservation model. Comparable scope of species protection, agricultural advisory (Vertragsnaturschutz), and public education programs within a single Kreis district.
• Biologische Station Westliches Ruhrgebiet: NRW biological station with comparable scope of urban-adjacent species protection, habitat management, and education programs. Shares the same funding ecosystem (LVR, LEADER) and operational model as Biologische Station Düren.
• Biologische Station Euskirchen: Adjacent biological station in the Eifel region partnering on LEADER 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf' and 'Zukunftsdörfer' projects. Offers comparable species protection, environmental education, and contract nature conservation services to farmers and municipalities.
• Biologische Station Bonn/Rhein-Erft: Direct peer running identical biological station model in adjacent Bonn/Rhein-Erft region. Joint partner on LEADER projects 'Na-Tür-lich Dorf' and 'Lebensnetz Börde', operating the same species protection, education, and farmer advisory functions.

Broad incumbents

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest nature conservation NGO with nationwide reach. Operates similar species protection, habitat management, and environmental education programs but at national scale, with broader policy advocacy and membership base compared to Biologische Station Düren's district-level focus.
• Heinz Sielmann Stiftung: Major German nature conservation foundation operating nature reserves, biodiversity projects, and education programs nationwide. Comparable mission in species and habitat protection, but at multi-region scale with larger financial resources and broader donor base.
• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): Major German environmental and nature conservation NGO with federal and state-level structures. Comparable mission in biodiversity protection and environmental education, but operates at national scale with policy advocacy and large member base rather than district-level field delivery.

Regional players

• Naturstiftung David: Thuringia-based conservation foundation working on land acquisition, species protection, and ecological education. Comparable non-profit mission and project-based funding approach, but operating in a different German region with focus on land stewardship rather than district-level field delivery.

Others

• WILA Bonn e.V. (Wissenschaftsladen Bonn): Citizen science and environmental education organization partnering with Biologische Station Düren on 'Tausende Gärten Tausende Arten'. Operates comparable public education and citizen science programs but focuses on knowledge brokerage rather than direct conservation delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/biologische_station
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biologische-station

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Biologische Station