Tino Schomann new head of the Schaalsee-Landschaft special purpose association!

Tino Schomann new head of the Schaalsee-Landschaft special purpose association!

On July 16, 2025, there was an important change at the top of the Schaalsee-Landschaft special purpose association. Tino Schomann, the district administrator of northwest Mecklenburg, was unanimously elected as the new association leader. The election took place during the association meeting in Salem, Schleswig-Holstein and is valid for the next four years. In his first speech, Schomann emphasized the importance of strong partnerships for cross-border cooperation and practical nature conservation. He succeeds Christoph Mager, who led the association for eight years and is known for his strategic direction. Under his aegis, the special-purpose association has developed from simply managing a large-scale nature conservation project into a modern nature conservation institution. Mager will remain with the association as second deputy head of the association.

In his new role, Schomann will be responsible for the only cross-border, public owner of nature conservation areas on the border between Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The tasks of the association include the preservation, strengthening and development of the unique landscape and its biotope network system. The association has been making a valuable contribution to cross-border species and climate protection at the local level for almost 35 years. Particular attention is paid to the cooperation between the districts of Northwest Mecklenburg and Ludwigslust-Parchim as well as the Duchy of Lauenburg district in Schleswig-Holstein and the environmental foundation WWF Germany, all of which pursue a common goal.

Support for the biotope network

Another step to strengthen nature conservation in the region was recently announced when State Secretary for the Environment Katja Günther handed over a grant for 300,000 euros to the “Schaalsee-Landschaft” special purpose association in Mechow. This funding supports a five-year project that is intended to close the gaps in the biotope network along the former inner-German border and connect valuable habitats. The Duchy of Lauenburg district plays an important role in this by providing around 200 hectares of nature conservation areas. State Secretary Günther emphasized the importance of the Green Belt for nature conservation, history and culture of remembrance.

Dr. Christoph Mager, the new second deputy head of the association and his predecessor, reported on the cross-border expansion of the association's territory up to the Elbe. The association not only acts as a link between the districts, but also contributes to the preservation of unique nature and biodiversity.

Importance for nature conservation

The biotope network is crucial for the protection of many native animal species such as insects, field birds and meadow breeders that depend on these habitats. Together with other initiatives in Germany, the association aims to create a connected network of biotopes by 2030. The Ministry of the Environment in Baden-Württemberg has already achieved interim goals that underline the importance of an overarching strategy in the area of ​​nature conservation.

These developments show once again that commitment to nature conservation is of great importance not only regionally, but also nationally.