Biosphere Welcome Festival Münsingen 2026

A Biosphere Reserve Gets Bigger

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Swabian Jura Biosphere Centre invites you to the grand Biosphere Welcome Festival. The occasion is the expansion of the Swabian Jura UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — 16 towns and municipalities are contributing new protected areas, and six municipalities are joining for the first time. This significantly expands one of the three German UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (alongside Rhön and Spreewald). The Welcome Festival makes this expansion visible and celebrates it with the region's general public.

Ceremony with Contract Signing

The formal highlight of the day is the contract signing at 11:45 AM: Representatives of the state of Baden-Württemberg and the 16 new member municipalities will sign the agreement that legally anchors the expansion. A ritual with symbolic value — Biosphere Reserves are voluntary areas where nature conservation, cultural landscape management, and regional development are integrated. Membership is a political decision by the municipalities.

Program — Retrospective, Film, Music, Participation

Program points for various target groups are spread throughout the day. At 2 PM, an 18-year retrospective on the history of the Biosphere Reserve — founded in 2008, recognized by UNESCO since 2009. From 3 PM onwards, film screenings with the renowned wildlife filmmaker Dietmar Nill, one of Germany's most important nature filmmakers. Live music by the band „Volle Matte" will provide a festive atmosphere. Hands-on activities, information stands from participating municipalities, regional cuisine from the Swabian Jura (Linsen-Spätzle, Lammwürstchen, Albkäse), and a children's program make the Welcome Festival a family event.

Conclusion of the 14th Biosphere Week

The Welcome Festival also marks the conclusion of the 14th Biosphere Week, which showcases the diversity of the Biosphere Reserve with over 90 events across three districts. Hikes, lectures, farm visits, film evenings, culinary tours — over a week, the program has made the topics of nature conservation, regional products, cultural landscape, and climate protection tangible. The Welcome Festival on the final day brings these themes together.

The Swabian Jura Biosphere Reserve

The Swabian Jura Biosphere Reserve covers approximately 850 square kilometers of protected area between Reutlingen, Geislingen, Münsingen, and Lichtenstein. Recognized by UNESCO since 2009, it is one of the three German Biosphere Reserves on the UNESCO list. Characterized by juniper heaths, managed forests, karst phenomena (caves, springs, dry valleys), and the cultural landscape of the Swabian Jura, shaped over centuries. With the 2026 expansion, the area grows — a confirmation of the successful work of the managing body and a signal that the concept is working.

Münsingen-Auingen — Seat of the Biosphere Centre

Auingen is a district of Münsingen (approx. 14,000 inhabitants) in the Reutlingen district, Swabian Jura. The Swabian Jura Biosphere Centre is headquartered in Auingen — serving as an information center, administrative seat of the protected area, and event venue. Its location in the Swabian Jura, surrounded by juniper heaths, sheep pastures, and the Münsingen military training area (with its ecologically valuable open landscapes), makes the site a logical setting for the festival.