Wadden Sea celebrates 16 years of UNESCO World Heritage: Discover the coast!

Wadden Sea celebrates 16 years of UNESCO World Heritage: Discover the coast!

On June 26, 2025, we will celebrate a very special occasion: the 16th anniversary of the recognition of the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In this context, the national park administration warmly invites coastal residents to discover the unique natural area. Von heute bis Sonntag warten mehr als 40 Veranstaltungen an 22 Orten entlang der Küste auf interessierte Teilnehmer, die sich auf kostenlose Angebote für Einheimische freuen können. n-tv reports on mudflat hikes, natural history tours, tours through salt marshes and various family offers.

The special activities offer locals the opportunity to experience the beauty and importance of the Wadden Sea up close under the expert guidance of national park guides. The responsibility of the local residents for the preservation of this world natural heritage is also emphasized in order to give future generations the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary habitat.

The importance of the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea stretches from Den Helder in the Netherlands to Esbjerg in Denmark and is known for its “outstanding universal value,” as UNESCO highlights. In 2009, parts of the German and Dutch Wadden Sea were added to the World Heritage List, while Hamburg and Denmark areas followed later. Comprehensive conservation measures developed by Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands since 1978 ensure that the area remains largely undisturbed. unesco.de explains that the entire area maintains important ecological processes and includes a variety of habitats.

With over 2,300 animal and plant species living in salt marshes and marine areas, the Wadden Sea is an important habitat for numerous species. Around 6.1 million birds use it as a resting, moulting and wintering area. Each year, between 10 and 12 million birds make the journey to enjoy the rich food and relative untouchedness of this region. This diversity and availability of food resources is critical to the survival of many migratory species.

Challenges and protective measures

But despite this impressive biodiversity, the region also faces challenges. Around September 2023, UNESCO warned that activities such as raw material extraction in and on the edge of the Wadden Sea could endanger World Heritage status. The states were asked to refrain from test drilling and new raw material extraction. The WWF provides information about existing and emerging threats, ranging from unsustainable fishing to the impacts of climate change. Land use and human activity must be carefully planned to ensure the long-term conservation of the Wadden Sea.

This makes the commitment of the locals starting today all the more important, as the events in the coming days will give them the opportunity not only to get to know the Wadden Sea better, but also to actively contribute to the protection of this unique habitat.