Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald

What Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald does

Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1980 and headquartered in Eberbach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It serves as the managing body for a state-recognized nature park covering approximately 591.6 km² across the Vorderer Odenwald, Sandstein-Odenwald, Kraichgau, Bauland, and Kleiner Odenwald regions between Heidelberg, Mosbach, and Hardheim. The organization maintains roughly 4,000 km of hiking trails and 380+ km of mountain bike routes, develops inclusive outdoor infrastructure (including four certified Komfort-Wanderwege and four trekking camps), and delivers environmental education programs certified under the state's BNE framework.

The organization operates with a small paid staff of approximately 10 employees — led by Managing Director Paul Siemes and Deputy Managing Director Michaela Kahl — and is supported by a substantial volunteer network of over 150 trail wardens, 20+ mountain bike trail custodians, 15+ inclusive hiking ambassadors, trekking camp supervisors, and 21 trained climate ambassadors. Its membership base comprises 55 municipalities, two districts (Landkreise), and institutions including the city of Heidelberg, with additional partnerships spanning 19 producer businesses, 8 sponsors, and 11 cooperation partners in education, culture, and conservation.

Revenue is generated through a combination of membership dues from its 55 member municipalities, government grants from the state of Baden-Württemberg, the European Union, and the GlücksSpirale lottery (over 700,000 EUR distributed to the region in 2026), sponsorship income, donations via an online portal, and minor visitor services including trekking camp bookings, shop sales, and participation at six annual nature park markets. The association's total budget has grown to approximately 1 million euros over five years, with a positive operating result of approximately 6,000 euros in 2025.

Name

Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald

Legal name

Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald e.V.

Website

https://naturpark-neckartal-odenwald.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald e.V. is a German non-profit nature park association managing 4,000 km of hiking trails and 380+ km of mountain bike routes across 591.6 km² in Baden-Württemberg, serving 55 member municipalities, regional visitors, and educational institutions through inclusive outdoor experiences, environmental education, and sustainable regional development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Park and Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG), Backcountry & Primitive Camping Areas (THAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Nature park management
• Conservation services
• Accessible hiking trails
• Sustainable regional development
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Eberbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from 55 member municipalities, associations, and institutions including the city of Heidelberg, 2 districts (Landkreise), and other organizations. Member dues contribute to the association budget.
2. Government and EU Grants: Primary funding from state of Baden-Württemberg, European Union, and GlücksSpirale lottery. In 2026, over 700,000 euros in funding flows through the nature park to the region. The association budget has grown to approximately 1 million euros over five years.
3. Sponsorship: Sponsorship income from 8 sponsoring partners who support nature park projects and activities. Example: Apleona sponsored biodiversity action day with 35 nesting boxes built.
4. Visitor Services and Product Sales: Revenue from trekking camp bookings, shop sales, and regional product sales at nature park markets. Direct marketing of regional products through partner network.
5. Donations: Donation portal for engaged supporters to support projects and conservation efforts.
6. Project Funding Reallocation: Nature park distributes grant funding to member municipalities for specific projects including hiking infrastructure, recreation facilities, and conservation initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald e.V. is a non-profit nature park association that conserves and develops a cultural landscape spanning approximately 591.6 km² across the Vorderer Odenwald between Heidelberg, Mosbach, and Hardheim. It maintains roughly 4,000 km of hiking trails, 380+ km of mountain bike routes, four trekking camps, and four certified barrier-free Komfort-Wanderwege, and operates a Naturpark-Zentrum visitor center, guided nature tours, environmental education programs (BNE-certified), and a 19-partner regional producer network, while distributing public grants to its 55 member municipalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trekking Odenwald Camps
• Komfort-Wanderwege (Comfort Hiking Trails)
• Mountain Bike Tour Network
• Naturpark Gravel-Crossing Route 145 km gravel-bike crossing route from Weinheim to Walldürn that can be divided into 3 relaxed stages, offering a multi-day gravel cycling experience across the nature park.
• Inclusive Outdoor Wheelchairs Service All-terrain electric wheelchairs available for inclusive nature experiences, operated in cooperation with Natürlich Heidelberg (city of Heidelberg), enabling visitors with mobility limitations to access forest and trail environments.
• Naturpark Schools and Kindergartens Program (BNE) Education for Sustainable Development (BNE) certified program for schools and kindergartens in the region, offering environmental education linked to local nature and cultural landscape. Certified by the state of Baden-Württemberg.
• Climate Ambassador Training Program (Klimabotschafter*innen) Multi-module training program (nine modules) on climate change causes, impacts on forests, agriculture, biodiversity, water bodies, buildings, and energy, plus climate protection and adaptation options. Graduates serve as multipliers for climate protection and adaptation in the region.
• Naturpark-Partner Network (Regional Producer Marketing) Network of 19 regional producer businesses (farms, bakeries, wineries, cider producers, beekeepers, hospitality providers) branded under Naturpark-Partner for regional marketing and value chain strengthening.
• Naturpark Audio Tour Digital audio tour providing guided narrative experiences along hiking routes in the nature park, offering visitors self-guided interpretive content about nature, culture, and landscape.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700,000 euros in funding distributed to the region in 2026 through state, EU, and GlücksSpirale sources
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ApleonaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2026Apleona serves as a sponsoring partner and collaborated with the nature park on a biodiversity action day (Aktionstag) in July 2026, where 35 nesting boxes for cavity-nesting birds were built at Hofgut Eulenschlag. Employees took nesting boxes home for their gardens while remaining boxes were installed on the Hofgut property.
• Forst BW (Forstverwaltung Baden-Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForst BW collaborated with the nature park on the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) project, including organizing hunting walks for non-hunters. Forest rangers participate in trail openings and project activities.
• vhs Mosbach (Volkshochschule)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnervhs Mosbach co-organized the Wilde Sau Pirschgang event with the nature park and Forst BW, providing educational programming.
• Natürlich Heidelberg (Stadt Heidelberg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with the environmental education platform of the city of Heidelberg for inclusive nature experiences using all-terrain E-wheelchairs. The nature park participated in presenting the project during the Erasmus+ visit.
• TV KleingemündminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBike and hiking group of TV Kleingemünd substantially supported the development of the new mountain bike circular route in Neckargemünd, contributing local expertise from the mountain biking community to the planning process.
• Provinz Antwerpen (Province of Antwerp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ program exchange where a specialist group from Province of Antwerp visited the nature park to learn about inclusive nature experiences, including barrier-free trails and outdoor wheelchairs. Visit included practical assessment of trails with inclusive hiking ambassadors and testing of E-wheelchairs in Heidelberg. Insights will inform an action plan for Province of Antwerp.
• KLIMA ARENA SinsheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKLIMA ARENA Sinsheim is a cooperation partner providing interactive climate change education. The kickoff event for the 2025/2026 climate ambassador training took place at KLIMA ARENA Sinsheim. The arena connects climate change fundamentals with areas including housing, energy, mobility, and lifestyle.
• BURGLANDSCHAFT Spessart und OdenwaldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurglandschaft e.V. is a nonprofit association managing over 60 cultural monuments across Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hessen. The cooperation focuses on cultural heritage preservation and promoting castle tourism in the Odenwald region.
• Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald UNESCO Global GeoparkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald e.V. spans over 3,800 km² between Rhine, Main, and Neckar. Rangers and Geopark teams provide nature and geology experiences for children and adults and offer training through the BNE Academy. Strong alignment with nature park mission.
• Joachim & Susanne Schulz StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit foundation in the Amorbach and Mudau region supporting STEM education, cultural education, and environmental, nature, and climate protection. Helps children and youth learn to shape the world sustainably through nature experiences, creativity, and participation.
• Bildungshaus NeckarelzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBildungshaus Neckarelz offers an ideal venue for conferences, seminars, and meetings with modern rooms and well-equipped meeting rooms. The spacious grounds with castle moat and historic Tempelhauskirche provide a special atmosphere for events.
• Odenwälder FreilandmuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen-air museum where visitors can experience how people lived and worked in the Odenwald and Bauland regions over the past 300 years. Authentic reconstructed buildings from laborer's cottages to farmhouses provide insights into past times. Naturpark Guides offer tours.
• NaturFreunde Neckarbischofsheim / Zwingenberger HofminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint educational offerings for school classes developed by NaturFreunde and the nature park at the Zwingenberger Hof. Programs incorporate the surrounding nature and cultural landscape and the sustainable infrastructure of the facility, implemented by qualified Naturpark Guides.
• Römermuseum OsterburkenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint educational offerings for various target groups developed with Römermuseum Osterburken, implemented by qualified Naturpark Guides. Programs incorporate the museum exhibition, Limes park, and region as learning locations.
• momentum novumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint offerings in education for sustainable development and sustainability processes for companies developed with momentum novum. Focus on practical formats like workshops and events that promote sustainable action and initiate concrete measures.
• Volksbank KurpfalzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProject-based cooperation on sustainable regional development offerings. Focus on joint formats such as actions, events, or participation offerings in environmental education, nature conservation, or climate protection.
• Wildpark SchwarzachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildpark Schwarzach is operated by the municipality of Schwarzach and houses approximately 460 animals from 68 species on 10 hectares. Joint offerings in education for sustainable development and nature experience are implemented, focusing on joint actions and events that sensitize visitors for environmental and climate protection.
• Bio-Imkerei WillaredminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBio-Apiculture (organic beekeeping) offering bio honey products and a honey shop in Hardheim. Naturpark-Partner since 2023.
• Zd-livingtrailer GbR (Fahrrad-Camper i:woody)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBicycle camping service in Neckargemünd offering i:woody bicycle campers.
• Bäckerei Fritze-BeckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraditional bakery in Seckach with high-quality organic baked goods, regional ingredients, and traditional craftsmanship.
• Heilig GbRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFarm shop and regenerative agriculture in Hardheim-Gerichtstetten.
• Antoniushof WiesenbachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExcursions, environmental education, and guided tours at Antoniushof in Wiesenbach.
• Freizeit- und Ferienreiterhof OdenwaldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeisure and vacation riding farm in Hardheim-Dornberg offering vacation accommodations and riding experiences.
• Jean Marie's Artisan NaturbäckereiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraditional artisan bakery with regional ingredients in Mosbach-Reichenbuch.
• Nußlocher ZiegenkäsehofminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialty goat cheese farm in Nußloch.
• Koch Family FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable Highland cattle farming in Eberbach.
• Naturfreundehaus Zwingenberger HofminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGastronomy and accommodation at Naturfreundehaus in Neckarbischofsheim.
• Kubach Speisepilze GbRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEdible mushrooms and mushroom specialties in Rosenberg-Sindolzheim.
• Bio-Weingut Uhler & BlankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganic wines, vineyard tours, and events at winery in Sinsheim.
• Talbach ApartmentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApartments and vacation accommodation in Buchen-Götzingen.
• Kertelreiter CiderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCidery and mosterei (cider production) from own cultivation in Schefflenz.
• Ferienhof PfeifferminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVacation farm, farm vacation, and riding farm in Buchen-Bödigheim. Sustainability commitment including chemical-free swimming pond and climate-friendly mobility.
• PAOLA [EIS:liebe]minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional, seasonal ice cream made in-house.
• Naturakademie HeidelbergminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWild herb tours and workshops in Heidelberg.
• Hofgut EulenschlagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExperience farm and nature experience programs in Weinheim. Co-organized biodiversity action day with Apleona in July 2026.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Europarc Federation: European network representing national parks, nature parks, and biosphere reserves across Europe. Broader incumbent because it operates as an umbrella body providing policy advocacy, training, and certification frameworks that shape the operating environment for individual Naturparke including Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald.
• Verband Deutscher Naturparke (VDN): German national umbrella association for Germany's 100+ Naturparke. Broader incumbent because it coordinates federal-level policy representation, shared marketing (e.g., katzensprung-deutschland.de), and BNE/program standards that individual parks like Neckartal-Odenwald adopt.

Direct peers

• Naturpark Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald: Adjacent Baden-Württemberg nature park covering approximately 1,270 km². Direct peer because it shares the same Naturpark legal framework, manages its own trail and partner business networks, and serves overlapping visitor demographics in the same state funding ecosystem.
• Nationalpark Schwarzwald: Baden-Württemberg's only national park. Direct peer because it operates a comparable protected-area visitor experience with hiking trails, ranger programs, visitor centers, and education offerings under similar state policy frameworks, though with stronger federal protection mandate.
• Naturpark Stromberg-Heuchelberg: Another Baden-Württemberg Naturpark operating under identical state recognition. Direct peer because it runs parallel programs in member municipality relations, trail management, regional partner businesses (Naturpark-Partner concept), and BNE-certified education.
• Naturpark Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord: One of Germany's largest nature parks in Baden-Württemberg. Direct peer because it operates under the same state-recognized Naturpark mandate, manages comparable trail and visitor infrastructure, runs BNE-certified education programs, and serves similar member municipalities and visitor segments.
• Naturpark Altmühltal: One of Germany's largest nature parks in Bavaria. Direct peer because it operates the same Naturpark model with extensive hiking/cycling trail networks, partner business programs, visitor centers, BNE-certified education, and trekking/camping offerings under comparable funding structures.
• Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald UNESCO Global Geopark: Adjacent UNESCO-recognized nature park spanning over 3,800 km² between Rhine, Main, and Neckar. Direct peer because both operate state-recognized nature parks with BNE-certified education programs, ranger teams, hiking/cycling infrastructure, and overlapping geographic territory in the Odenwald — Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald explicitly lists it as a core cooperation partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/naturparkneckartalodenwald
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturpark-neckartal-odenwald-e.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Naturpark Neckartal-Odenwald