Grand ceremonial act for the 40th birthday of the National Park under the motto 'National Park Works'
The Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park was established in 1986 and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea — one of Europe's most ecologically valuable landscapes. Over 345,000 hectares between the Ems estuary and the Elbe River are under special protection. The National Park administration in Wilhelmshaven serves as the central hub for research, monitoring, education, and public relations. Four decades of active nature conservation are ample reason to celebrate an anniversary year.
The official ceremonial act on February 6, 2026, will bring together around 250 guests from politics, administration, science, and nature conservation organizations. Under the motto 'National Park Works,' a review will be presented on the impact of four decades of protection for birds, seals, porpoises, plants, and microorganisms. High-ranking guests include Lower Saxony's Minister-President Olaf Lies, Environment Minister Christian Meyer, and National Park Director Peter Südbeck. The program will feature speeches, celebratory lectures, and musical performances.
A special anniversary brochure will be published for the jubilee, documenting the scientific assessment, the most significant conservation successes, and the challenges of the coming years. The ceremonial act is the kickoff to an anniversary year with numerous follow-up events throughout the Wadden Sea region — from public information sessions and family days to scientific conferences. This will make the 40th anniversary of the National Park an occasion to once again bring the protection of this unique landscape to the attention of a broader public.
The ceremonial act on February 6, 2026, is the official opening of the anniversary year. Throughout the year, numerous public events will follow — from public information sessions and family days to scientific conferences.
The presence of the Minister-President and the Environment Minister underscores the political significance of the jubilee and nature conservation as a societal task.
The exact program for the ceremonial act will be communicated by the National Park administration. The structure will follow the established benchmarks of state ceremonies:
The ceremonial act is an invitation-only event. Accompanying programs during the anniversary year are partially open to the public.
Wilhelmshaven is accessible via the A 29 motorway. The exact venue for the ceremonial act will be communicated by the National Park administration.
The ceremonial act is an invitation-only event. Accompanying programs during the anniversary year are partially open to the public — information available from the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park administration and the Wadden Sea Visitor Centre.
The anniversary brochure is available from the National Park administration; a portion is also available for download from the official website.
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