Press Release
Raesfeld / Bonn, October 8, 2025
Successful with quality offensive Naturparke
Naturpark Hohe Mark again as a qualityNaturpark awarded

The Naturpark Hohe Mark has successfully participated in the “Quality Offensive Naturparke” of the Association of German Naturparke and was again awarded as a quality nature park.
The “Quality Offensive Naturparke” was developed by the VDN eV with the support of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. It is intended for the Naturparke a central instrument for the continuous development of their work and services as well as for better recognition of their work in society, business and politics.
"The fact that we have been successful for the fourth time demonstrates how consistently we ensure the high quality of our projects and offerings. This applies not only to Hohe Mark Steig, which was awarded as a premium hiking trail by the German Hiking Association, but also on the Hohe Mark Cycle Route, which has received four stars as a quality cycle route from the ADFC. The quality initiative is not a mandatory program for us, but an important benchmark against which we measure our actions. It helps us achieve long-term goals and at the same time provide impetus for new developments." Emphasizes the 1st Chairman of the Naturparks Hohe Mark, Wilfried Kersting, emphasized the importance of the quality offensive:
Participating NaturparkThey have to answer more than 100 questions about their work in areas ranging from management and nature tourism to environmental education and regional development. "It was an intensive but very exciting task to Naturpark Hohe Mark to such a comprehensive review – it is all the more pleasing that the effort is now reflected in the award again,” says Barbara Kraß, who was in charge of processing the extensive questionnaire. Naturpark visited, evaluated and advised by the “Quality Scout” Dr. Manfred Klöppel. To receive the “QualityNaturpark“, 300 out of 500 possible points must be achieved, the Naturpark Hohe Mark With a score of 364,50 points, it received 36,25 points more than in the last quality initiative in 2020. The audit report of the initiative particularly emphasized the strong cooperation with regional partners and the constant adaptation of the offerings to the needs of visitors and nature.
The managing director of the Naturparks Hohe Mark, Dagmar Beckmann, underlines the significance of the award: “We are extremely pleased about the renewed recognition as a quality nature park.
This award is confirmation for our entire team that our commitment to nature, landscape, and visitors is paying off in the long term.