Landscape conservation, Zweckverband Saar-Blies-Gau / Auf der Lohe and Haus Lochfeld
The nature and landscape of the Saarpfalz district are diverse and of particular ecological value. The district administration promotes the protection and care of nature and projects for protection through utilisation. Support is provided in the form of grants for the maintenance and development of valuable biotopes, for measures to protect rare animal and plant species or for projects for the sustainable use and development of nature and landscape in general.
The district administration also carries out its own landscape conservation measures and projects. The administration is responsible for planning and monitoring the success of these projects. Implementation is carried out by regional farmers and with the support of employment groups. One example of a major landscape conservation project is the LEADER mistletoe control project.
The largest landscape conservation project is the Saar-Blies-Gau / Auf der Lohe large-scale nature conservation project, which has been funded by the federal government since 1995. The Saar-Blies-Gau / Auf der Lohe special-purpose association was founded to realise this project, to which the municipalities of Gersheim and Mandelbachtal as well as the Naturlandstifung Saar belong in addition to the Saarpfalz district. The large-scale project resulted in the designation of the Southern Bliesgau / Auf der Lohe nature reserve. The landscape conservation measures initiated at that time are still being continued today under the leadership of the district administration.
The cultural landscape centre Haus Lochfeld in Wittersheim is also part of the association. This environmental education information centre offers an extensive seminar programme every year and provides a walk-in cross-section of the Bliesgau's cultural landscape in the outdoor area.