The Forest Contractual Nature Conservation Program (VNP Wald) rewards voluntary services provided by private and corporate forest owners (including legal entities) as well as those responsible for inter-company measures for nature and species conservation in forests. The VNP Forest is thus an important building block for the implementation of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas and the Bavarian Biodiversity Strategy.

The contractual nature conservation program in the forest secures ecologically valuable habitats and populations of endangered species in the forest. Forest owners undertake to manage the areas in accordance with the objectives of nature conservation for five or twelve years.

In particular, medium and coppice forests, beaver habitats, sparse forests and valuable structures such as biotope trees, old wood islands and deadwood (if necessary also after natural disturbance events such as windthrow) or a complete renunciation of use are promoted.

The funding compensates for the loss of income or additional costs.

The first step for interested forest owners is to contact the local nature conservation authority or the local office for food, agriculture and forestry. They will receive information on which subsidies are possible and support in preparing the application documents.

Applications can be submitted to the local Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry during a fixed annual period (usually from November to May).