Naturschule Deutschland

What Naturschule Deutschland does

Naturschule Deutschland e.V. is a German non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1988 and headquartered in Freiburg im Breisgau that delivers nature-based continuing education and professional certification programs. The organization offers five core certification tracks (Naturpädagogik, Facherzieher*in Natur- und Waldpädagogik, Kräuterpädagogik, Wildnispädagogik, and Tourenleiter*in für Natur und Landschaft) supplemented by modular short courses (Fortbildungen), online courses (Online-Fortbildungen), and customized in-house training (Inhouse-Veranstaltungen). Its primary customer segment is educators, kindergarten teachers, and pedagogical professionals seeking professional certification in outdoor and nature pedagogy, with secondary segments including forest kindergarten leaders, aspiring freelance nature educators, and adult nature enthusiasts.

The organization operates with a hybrid model: a small core team of approximately six full-time staff (three joint managing directors — Astrid Fiebich, Elke Hieber, and Matthias Wörne — supported by three honorary board members) supplemented by a network of over 100 freelance expert lecturers. Courses are delivered across more than 15 German regions through the organization's own website enrollment system and a partner network of regional adult education centers (VHS) in Heidelberg, Augsburg, Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Bonn, plus specialized partners (WILA Bildungszentrum Bonn, Wildnisschule Wildnistraining, Lohmarer Institut für Weiterbildung). The technology stack is minimal: KuferTools provides course management and registration, Zoom is used for online sessions and information evenings, and no proprietary platform or AI capabilities are present.

Revenue is generated primarily through course fees ranging from €40 for single online sessions to €2,450 for the comprehensive Naturpädagogik certification, with payment structured via SEPA direct debit and early bird discounts of €30-€100. Participants residing in NRW can access up to €500 in subsidies through the state Bildungscheck 2.0 program, creating a secondary demand-side lever. The nonprofit legal structure (e.V.) means surpluses are reinvested into programming rather than distributed; no external investment, parent company, or funding rounds are indicated in the source material, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Naturschule Deutschland

Legal name

Naturschule Deutschland e.V.

Website

https://naturschule.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Naturschule Deutschland e.V. is a German non-profit founded in 1988 (Freiburg im Breisgau) that delivers nature-based continuing education and professional certification programs serving educators, kindergarten teachers, forest kindergarten leaders, and nature enthusiasts across more than 15 German regions through a small core staff and 100+ freelance lecturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Education and Training

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training, Certification & Continuing Education for Nannies/Babysitters (HSAAALAO)

Keywords

• Nature education
• Continuing education
• Professional certification
• Forest pedagogy
• Outdoor learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg im Breisgau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Primary revenue from continuing education and training course fees. Courses range from single-day workshops (€40-€160) to multi-week professional certifications (€890-€2,450). Payment structured with deposits and SEPA direct debit installments for longer programs.
2. Public Subsidies: Participants in NRW can receive up to €500 (50% of course fees) through the Bildungscheck 2.0 program, subject to income eligibility (max €50,000 individual / €100,000 joint taxable income).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Naturschule Deutschland e.V. is a registered nonprofit association that provides nature-based continuing education and professional certification programs for educators, kindergarten teachers, and nature guides across Germany. Its core offerings include five major certification tracks (Naturpädagogik, Facherzieher*in Natur- und Waldpädagogik, Kräuterpädagogik, Wildnispädagogik, and Tourenleiter*in) plus flexible continuing education workshops and customized in-house training delivered through a network of 100+ freelance expert lecturers.

Product overview

Naturschule Deutschland e.V. is a non-profit association offering a comprehensive portfolio of nature-based education and professional development programs. The core offerings include five major qualification tracks (Naturpädagogik, Facherzieher*in Natur- und Waldpädagogik, Kräuterpädagogik, Wildnispädagogik, and Tourenleiter*in für Natur und Landschaft) supplemented by flexible continuing education courses (Fortbildungen) available both in-person and online. The organization provides courses across multiple German cities (Freiburg, Heidelberg, Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, Hannover, Bonn, Augsburg) through a network of over 100 freelance instructors, with programs designed for educators, forest kindergarten staff, nature guides, and nature enthusiasts seeking both personal development and professional qualifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Naturpädagogik Weiterbildung A comprehensive professional development program in nature pedagogy offering foundational education in outdoor learning methodologies and nature connection practices, delivered across 9 weekends plus 2 online sessions (225 teaching units) in Heidelberg, Berlin/Brandenburg, and Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein. Targeted at educators, kindergarten teachers, and pedagogical professionals seeking certification in nature-based education.
• Facherzieher*in Natur- und Waldpädagogik Specialized qualification program for educators focusing on nature and forest pedagogy, including base and advanced course modules. The base course consists of 3 weekends (60 teaching units) and the advanced course extends to additional teaching units, with course fees ranging from €890-€980 depending on location. Targets educators and kindergarten teachers working with children in outdoor settings.
• Kräuterpädagogik Weiterbildung Professional training in herbal and wild plant pedagogy teaching identification, preparation, and educational application of medicinal and culinary plants. Consists of 5 weekends (90 teaching units) held in Freiburg/Schwarzwald, priced at €1,400 (€1,330 early bird). Includes accommodation costs of approximately €150 per weekend.
• Wildnispädagogik Weiterbildung Wilderness pedagogy training program covering survival skills, primitive technologies, and deep nature connection practices. Consists of 6 weekends (120 teaching units) held in Dahlem/Eifel in cooperation with Wildnisschule Wildnistraining. Priced at €1,820.
• Tourenleiter*in für Natur und Landschaft Certification program for leading nature and landscape tours covering navigation, safety, group management, and interpretive guiding. Designed for individuals seeking to become certified tour leaders for nature and landscape excursions.
• Fortbildungen (Continuing Education Workshops) Continuing education courses covering practical nature education topics including wilderness skills, plant identification, camp craft, and nature-based activities with children. Workshops range from single-day sessions (€40-€160) to multi-day programs (€225-€295) held in locations across Germany.
• Online-Fortbildungen Virtual continuing education offerings enabling remote participation in nature education training, including webinars and live online seminars delivered via Zoom. Includes topics like online wild plant identification (€40 per session).
• Inhouse-Veranstaltungen (Customized Training) Customized on-site training programs delivered at client facilities for organizations requiring tailored nature education content, including team events and specialized group programs.

Named customers6 records

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 and minor.

• VHS HeidelbergcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor cooperation partner for Naturpädagogik and Facherzieher*in courses in the Heidelberg/Odenwald region. VHS handles local registration and provides venue access. Participants can receive Bildungscheck subsidies through this partnership.
• VHS AugsburgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partner for Facherzieher*in Aufbaukurs courses. VHS Augsburg manages local registrations and course coordination.
• VHS Leipziger LandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional adult education partner for continuing education courses in the Leipzig area.
• VHS StuttgartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partner mentioned in data privacy documentation for course delivery cooperation.
• WILA Bildungszentrum BonncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWissenschaftsladen Bonn handles Facherzieher*in courses in the Bonn region, managing registrations and providing local program information.
• Wildnisschule WildnistrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for Wildnispädagogik certification program held in Dahlem/Eifel. Provides specialized wilderness training expertise and facilities.
• Lohmarer Institut für Weiterbildung (LIW)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Naturpädagogik courses in Köln/Eifel region. Handles Bildungscheck 2.0 subsidy processing for eligible participants.
• Volksbank FreiburgminorOthersShown as a supporting/funding partner on the website footer, indicating financial or promotional support.
• ANU (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur und Umweltbildung)minorOthersShown as a supporting organization on the website, indicating membership or affiliation in the nature and environment education association.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wildnisschule Wildnistraining: Specializes in wilderness pedagogy and nature connection training in the Eifel region; directly comparable to Naturschule's Wildnispädagogik offering and currently a cooperation partner that could also act as a competitor in the same niche.

Broad incumbents

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental NGO operates an extensive nature and environmental education program including courses for educators; serves a much broader audience than Naturschule but overlaps on professional development and certifications for nature educators.
• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): Major German environmental NGO with a nationwide Bildungswerk offering nature education workshops and training; overlaps with Naturschule on continuing education for educators and nature pedagogy programming.
• Volkshochschulen (VHS): State-funded adult education centers offer nature and environmental courses to the general public and serve as both distribution partners and partial competitors for Naturschule's continuing education offerings across German municipalities.
• ANU (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung Bundesverband): Federal association for nature and environmental education providers in Germany; represents and connects educators in the same field as Naturschule and influences standards, certification frameworks, and policy direction.

Others

• Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald (SDW): German forest protection association offering forest education programs and 'Waldpädagogik' certifications for educators; overlaps thematically with Naturschule's Waldpädagogik and forest pedagogy content.
• WWF Deutschland: International conservation organization with German education programming focused on biodiversity and sustainability; adjacent rather than directly competitive but influential in nature education discourse and curriculum standards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/naturschule_deutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturschule-deutschland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Naturschule Deutschland