The Naturpark Hohe Mark was founded on March 21, 1963 in Haltern am See in order to develop the region for nature tourism and to maintain the local recreational function for the residents of the Ruhr area. The association acts as the sponsor Naturpark Hohe Mark – Westmünsterland eV Members are the District President of Münster, the districts Borken, Coesfeld, Recklinghausen and Wesel and 27 cities and municipalities in the districts in Naturpark. In addition, the district-free city of Bottrop, the regional association Ruhr, the Landschaftsverband Rheinland, Regional Association Westalen-Lippe and other associations and clubs from the areas of agriculture and forestry, water management, handicrafts, hunting and hiking are among the supporters of the association.