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Spessart Biosphere Reserve: Project fails due to lack of core zones!
District Administrator Legler expresses concerns about the designation of a biosphere reserve in the Spessart. Core zone areas are missing; Project is about to end.
Spessart Biosphere Reserve: Project fails due to lack of core zones!
The plans to designate a biosphere reserve in the Spessart are anything but certain. On July 10, 2025, District Administrator Alexander Legler (CSU) and District Administrator Sabine Sitter (CSU) took a clear position and expressed considerable doubts about the feasibility of the project. Legler explained that there was a lack of space for the required core zone, a crucial criterion for recognition by UNESCO. Sitter confirmed these concerns and added that there is not enough state and municipal forest available to meet the necessary requirements. This means that the project is in jeopardy, as is the case Main post reported.
Over the past four years, intensive work has been carried out on the plans for the biosphere reserve. The aim was to protect the old oak and beech forests and at the same time to promote the local economy and social life. In addition to Legler, the main actors also included Jens Marco Scherf (Greens) from the Miltenberg district and Aschaffenburg's mayor Jürgen Herzing (SPD). Despite the support of experts, including the late biologist Hansjörg Küster, the conditions for the project no longer appear to be met. Legler pointed out that there is a lack of formal requirements, especially with regard to the designation of the core zone. A biosphere reserve requires at least 5,000 hectares of core zone, but the Free State could only offer around 1,000 hectares, which makes the plans appear unfeasible, they said South German newspaper.
Complex political situation
To date, the project has received support from 55 of 76 Spessart municipalities, which corresponds to 73% of the votes and represents 89% of the population. Nevertheless, there are always critical voices from the ranks of the CSU who speak out loudly after the project was canceled. Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) welcomed the decision and spoke of an undesirable development. Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber, who had previously signaled support, also respects the region's latest decision. The political background should not be underestimated: critics suspect that the cancellation is related to the upcoming local elections in 2026.
The cancellation of the biosphere project leaves nature conservationists in particular perplexed. Further back and forth could further fuel the already passionate debate about the development and protection of regional nature. The future of the Spessart remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen how those involved will react to the decision in the coming weeks and months.