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

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

Bremen, Deutschland - On June 26, 2025, we celebrate a very special occasion: the 16th anniversary of the recognition of the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this context, the national park administration cordially invites the coastal residents to discover the unique natural area. From today to Sunday, more than 40 events at 22 places along the coast are waiting for interested participants who can look forward to free offers for locals. n-tv reported of wattwalks, guided tours through salt and various Family offers.

The special activities offer the locals the opportunity to experience the beauty and importance of the Wadden Sea up close under the expert management of national park leaders. The responsibility of the 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 meaning of the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea extends from the helds in the Netherlands to Esbjerg in Denmark and is known for his "extraordinary universal value", as the UNESCO emphasizes. In 2009, parts of the German and Dutch Wadden Sea were included in the list of World Natural Heritage, while Hamburg and Denmark later followed areas. Comprehensive protective 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 2300 animal and plant species that live in salt marisy and marine areas, the Wadden Sea is an important habitat for numerous species. Around 6.1 million birds also use it as a rest, mouse and hibernation area. Every year between 10 and 12 million birds set off to enjoy the rich food and the relative untouchedness of this region. This variety and the range of food resources are crucial for the survival of many wandering species.

challenges and protective measures

Despite this impressive biodiversity, the region also faces challenges. Around September 2023, UNESCO warned that activities such as promoting raw materials in and on the edge of the Wadden Sea can endanger the world heritage status. The states were asked to refrain from test drilling and new raw material extraction. The WWF informs about existing and new threats that range from non-sustainable fishing to the effects of climate change. Land use and human activity must be carefully planned to ensure the preservation of the Wadden Sea in the long term.

The more important is the commitment of the locals that begin today, which will not only get the opportunity to get to know the Wadden Sea through the events in the coming days, but also actively contribute to the protection of this unique habitat.