Change at the top: Tino Schomann becomes the new head of the association

Change at the top: Tino Schomann becomes the new head of the association

July 19, 2025 will be marked by change in the Schaalsee-Landschaft special purpose association. Christoph Mager, the long-time district administrator of the Duchy of Lauenburg district, is stepping down as head of the association after more than eight years. At the most recent association meeting in Salem, Tino Schomann, district administrator of the Northwest Mecklenburg district, was unanimously elected as the new association leader. Under Mager's leadership, the association was developed from an administrative organization into a modern nature conservation institution, which greatly benefited the region's large nature conservation projects, such as LN Online reported.

Even if Mager hands over the scepter, he will remain with the association in his role as second deputy head of the association. A central concern of his term of office was the strategic expansion of the association's territory across national borders to the Elbe. The special-purpose association also focused on promoting the biotope network along the border with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania through a third-party funded project that breathed new life into the natural areas that had partially disappeared. Areas were secured, owners were advised and biotope networking measures were implemented. The intensive cooperation with the districts and the WWF underlines the sustainable approach of the association.

A vision for nature conservation

Tino Schomann, the new head of the association, has already made it clear that cross-border cooperation and practical nature conservation are crucial in times of species extinction and climate change. “Nature knows no political boundaries,” he made clear, thereby bringing an important credo to the important work of the association. The association is not only a refuge for endangered species, but also plays a central role as the owner of nature conservation areas on the border between Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, according to [Government-MV](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/lm/Aktuell/?id=211453&processor=processor.sa.press release).

The region around the former inner-German border, which is now recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, has developed into a habitat for cattle, cranes and red deer. Anke Hollerbach, the head of the Schaalsee-Elbe Biosphere Reserve Office, emphasizes that this place is not only ecologically valuable, but also offers a high living and working value.

Active project work for nature

But the tasks of the special purpose association go beyond mere nature conservation. It is important to combine nature and culture of remembrance, because some of the association's areas are located on former farm sites that were demolished during the GDR's border security. A memorial stone in Neuhof commemorates the history of the region. When you visit the observation towers and nature conservation areas, you can see the eventful past and current nature projects come to life.

Overall, the Schaalsee-Landschaft association has been making a valuable contribution to species and climate protection at the local level for almost 35 years. Against the background of climate change and the global challenges in nature conservation, the association works in a network of international partnerships, as it is clear that the problems of nature often cross borders. Initiatives and cooperation across nations are essential for the benefit of the environment, as the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation emphasizes.