Several 100 hectares of beeches, which appear jungle-like and have been cultivated no more since decades, spread all over the area. Forest areas of this nature-conservational high quality are hardly being found in Central Europe.
The twelve villages surrounding the Hohe Schrecke are aware of their »treasure«. In order to protect it and increase its degree of popularity in Germany, they joined five years ago across the regional borders. Natural regional development in the sign of the jungle is the political message.

Looking for allies
The natural heritage Hohe Schrecke is acutely endangered through deforestation of the old beeches. The town councils fight for their pre-emption right, however, they cannot raise the purchase sum. Jointly with nature conservation organizations, they look for private investors who are willing to compromise in the sense of regional development and nature conservation - with a quite presentable success: The financially strong allies agree to leave in case of a purchase approximately 25 percent of the forest uncultivated. Nature conservation organizations, entrepreneurs and town councils plan to establish a foundation named Hohe Schrecke.