• Project "Climbing and preservation of nature in the Pfälzerwald" nature reserve
Project coordinator: the "Pfalz climbing and nature preservation circle"
The work group is putting into practice a concept of climbing which is compatible with the environment, involving all the protagonists (associations for the protection of nature, official bodies, climbing clubs, etc.). The project's primary objective was to reintroduce the peregrine falcon in the south of the Pfälzerwald.
Within the framework of concerted action, rocks which are suitable for nesting are closed off voluntarily by the participants, then gradually released, taking colonisation into account. The rocks sheltering clutches are monitored by climbers; this policy is explained in the climbing areas in observation windows and published in the local press. This allows the rehabilitation of a stable population of peregrine falcons, and has even encouraged the first baby eagle owls to hatch.
One section of the work group is responsible for the maintenance and safety of rocks for climbing. In 1990 the Pfalz climbers' association voted for the "directives for environmentally-friendly climbing on Wasgau cliffs" which define how to practise the art of climbing while respecting and preserving natural sites.

• "Friends of nature" projects
Project coordinator: "Friends of nature"
Environmental education in "friends of nature" centres in the biosphere reserve
- "Friends of nature" centres supply forest discovery packs (containing magnifying cups, pencils, a notepad and a brochure), which children can use independently to search for and discover interesting things in the forest and countryside.
- The "Friends of nature" centres in Elmstein, Finsterbrunnertal (near Kaiserslautern) and Rahnenhof (Hertlingshausen) are centres for the "Environment detectives" operation. Children aged between 8 and 14 have access to a wide range of equipment for studying the environment.
- - "Friends of nature" centres are maintained in an ecologically friendly manner and in the most sustainable way possible (selective sorting of waste, water and energy saving , etc.)
- In the Rahnenhof "Friends of nature" centre, a solar installation supplies up to 70% of the thermal energy required for heating and showers! All the bedrooms have an "alphabet of the environment" which informs residents on the ecological way of running the centre, and explains how residents can make their own contributions.
- When the " Oppauer Haus " in the Pfechtal, near Wachenheim, has been restored, it will be used as an "Ecological show house": here an experimental heating system using wood pellets will be tested, students in interior design from the Kaiserslautern college will produce designs, and school pupils from Bingen will design other "technological innovations". Proposals concerning environmental education will be made for the surrounding forest, in cooperation with the water and forests department of Haßloch/Neustadt.

Research and observation of the environment
- In the area around the Rahnenhof "Friends of nature" centre in Finsterbrunnertal (Karlstal), Werner Wust is responsible for over 200 nesting boxes, transmitting regular reports to the bird protection observatory in Radolfzell.
Environmental observations are also made in areas located at the heart of the biosphere reserve.

"Reconciling Man and nature"
On the outskirts of Lambrecht, the local "friends of nature" climbing group has cleared two open quarries and set up numerous climbing routes. This has created new climbing possibilities on the site and reduced the number of climbers on the Wasgau rocks. In parallel with this, the site has offered new nesting possibilities for peregrine falcons (the first breeding programmes has already given good results!). The rocks are currently barricaded and are the subject of observation and occasional monitoring.

• Youth hostel in the forest of Hochspeyer
Project coordinator: Regional association of youth hostels of Rheinland-Pfalz and Sarre and the Ministry of the environment and forests of Rheinland-Pfalz.
- At the forest youth hostel of Hochspeyer, school pupils at all levels, from all types of schools which want to put special emphasis on ecological education have the option of taking part in a specific programme on the forest.

• Project "Pfalz on horseback"
within the framework of holidays on the farm and in winegrowing domains in Pfalz

42 stops of recognised quality have been set up for hikers on horseback, whether or not they have their own horses, and for holiday makers with a particular interest in horse-riding. This project is designed above all as an additional source of revenue for farms, since it should enable farm holidays to be used to full advantage by diversifying the offer: farm, horse-riding and gastronomy.

Internet: www.pferdecity.de/freizeit

• The Pfälzerwald and Vosges du Nord biosphere centre
Project coordinator: Municipality of Fischbach, VG Dahner Felsenland, Landkreis Südwestpfalz (south west Pflaz)
- Its construction (architecture and energy design) is innovative. Its objectives are to increase awareness through play, using interactive activities, explaining the ecological relations of cause and effect and informing the public. The centre has an exhibition area for visitors, who can also take part in meetings, excursions and group activities. The outside areas offer the possibility of active training. The restaurant is the setting for different types of events.

Biosphere centre, Fischbach, © NPP

• The Pfalz natural history museum in Bad Dürkheim
Information and research centre for the biosphere reserve of the Pfälzerwald natural park.

The Pfalz natural history museum houses a vast collection/exhibition covering different domains of natural history: palaeontology, mineralogy, photos (slide shows), the history of research in natural sciences in Pfalz, the animal kingdom of yesterday and today in Pfalz, the geology of Pfalz, the biosphere reserve of the Pfälzerwald natural park, the world of mushrooms, the preservation of nature and culture, etc.
And also: a library of natural sciences with work areas, audio and video reports, conference and training rooms, magazine booths, an exhibition of books, reading corners, a showcase "to touch", vivariums, specially designed outside areas, a cafe and a restaurant.

Resources centre, Pfalz natural history museum, Bad Dürkheim, © NPP

• Trippstadt experimental forestry institute
This Land industrial research organisation makes the link between forestry science and practices. The main aim of the activities it offers is to protect all the functions of the forest, as far as possible, and to make them sustainable by increasing awareness.

• Pilot project "Integrated landscaping and study of the development of tourism in the Dahner Felsenland inter-municipality group"
A tourism model has been designed in work groups and workshops, on the basis of cartography of the vegetation and a landscapes plan. The integration of development projects in a global concept of the biosphere reserve of the Pfälzerwald national park, and the use of possibilities of cross-border cooperation, have also played an important role. The current implementation of the concept of preservation of the countryside and the action of Dahner Felsen farmers to promote the marketing of regional produce, via the intermediary of local gastronomy, have given concrete results.

• Institute of teaching and experimentation in livestock breeding of Neumühle in Münchweiler Alsenz
Farmers can take additional specialist training courses of one or more weeks "in direct contact with the animal" at the unique training centre specialising in animal production in the Rheinland-Pfalz and Sarre regions. Consumers and school pupils can also take part in farming courses lasting days or weeks.

• Horst forestry centre in Stelzenberg
Wood-Sun -100% of energy supplied by the sun!
The forestry centre of Horst and seven other forestry centres in Rheinland-Pfalz have been equipped with wood-fired heating and solar collectors within the framework of the pilot project "100% Energy supplied by the sun" organised by the water and forest authorities.
They can be used as showpieces to inform, for example, interested members of the public, chief engineers and project coordinators.