- The Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park :

This park is known for its gentle terrain and landscapes dotted with clearings and ponds. Forests cover nearly 65% of its area, providing an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
It’s not uncommon to spot deer or stags there, and with a bit of luck, perhaps even a shy lynx or a coal tit.
This remarkable biodiversity earned the park recognition by UNESCO as a "World Biosphere Reserve", as well as the EDEN label, which rewards "European Destinations of Excellence".

- The Robertsau – La Wantzenau National Nature Reserve :

Located north of Strasbourg, this national nature reserve spans 710 hectares and protects a large area of Rhine alluvial forests — true “temperate jungles” rich in biodiversity.
Despite the Rhine’s embankment, the groundwater still feeds this environment, maintaining a mosaic of forest, wetland, and aquatic habitats.
The reserve is home to many remarkable species such as the European beaver, the crested newt, and rare birds like the Eurasian teal and the grey-headed woodpecker. Its flora, typical of alluvial forests, also includes rare plants such as false bedstraw-leaved meadow-rue and the superb pink.

- The Reichshoffen Lake Nature Reserve :

Located in the heart of Green Alsace, this 16-hectare regional nature reserve is renowned for its biodiversity. Originally created to prevent flooding, the lake now hosts over 130 species, including around 40 nesting bird species.
An observation deck allows visitors to watch wildlife year-round. This peaceful natural site is ideal for walking, with a 2.4 km trail around the lake.
To preserve the ecosystem, swimming, boating, and camping are prohibited — but picnics are welcome.

- The Erstein Forest National Nature Reserve :

Covering 180 hectares in the former bed of the Rhine, protects an alluvial forest rich in biodiversity.
Fed by the river’s floods, it is home to nearly 400 plant species and numerous animal species, including forest birds, amphibians, and rare dragonflies.

- The Hohneck :

At 1,364 meters in altitude, the Hohneck is the second-highest peak in the Vosges and offers a spectacular panorama over Alsace, Lorraine, the Black Forest, and even the Alps on clear days.
Popular with hikers, it is bordered by glacial cirques that shelter rare flora and remarkable fauna, including chamois and Vosgian cows. Its smaller neighbor, the Petit Hohneck (1,288 m), extends this exceptional landscape.

- Champ du Feu :

The highest point in the Bas-Rhin at 1,099 meters, it is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
In winter, it offers downhill and cross-country ski trails, as well as routes for snowshoeing and sledding. In summer, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding allow visitors to explore its varied landscapes.
Part of the massif is classified as a “Natura 2000” site, under the European program for the preservation of remarkable natural habitats.

Alsace stands out for its rich biodiversity, spanning forests, plains, and wetlands. This diversity of natural habitats supports a wide range of species, some of which are rare or endangered.
Protecting these species means preserving a valuable heritage essential to maintaining the balance of regional biodiversity.

Some examples of protected species in Alsace:
 

- The White Stork:
An iconic symbol of Alsace, the white stork embodies both the region’s identity and the richness of its local wildlife.
After a steep decline during the 20th century — due to the loss of wetlands and the use of pesticides — it became the focus of numerous protection and reintroduction programs.
Today, its presence on rooftops or specially built nesting platforms in Alsatian villages is the result of ongoing conservation efforts.
As a protected species in France, any disturbance, destruction of the bird, its nest, eggs, or habitat is strictly prohibited.
 

- Western Capercaillie:
A majestic bird of mountain forests, the Western Capercaillie is a powerful symbol of the biodiversity found in the Vosges and Pyrenees mountain ranges.
Threatened by human disturbance, the fragmentation of its forest habitat, and increasingly harsh or unpredictable winters, this emblematic species has seen its population decline sharply in recent decades.
Classified as critically endangered in France, the Western Capercaillie is now subject to reinforced protection measures, including the regulation of human activities in sensitive breeding areas.
Its rare presence in forest clearings at dawn is a reminder of both the fragile richness of our woodlands and the urgent need to act to preserve this natural heritage.

You can find the full list of endangered bird species in Alsace on the LPO website.

Some examples of threatened plant species in Alsace:

In the Grand Est region, 742 vascular plants are considered threatened, including 75 listed as endangered species in France.
Here are two examples from Alsace:

- Nigella:
An annual plant with delicate blue or white flowers, Field Nigella is characteristic of traditional farmlands and fallow fields.
Once common in cereal crops, it has declined sharply due to agricultural intensification, widespread herbicide use, and the loss of low-input farming practices.
Listed as vulnerable in several regions of France, its conservation depends on maintaining biodiversity-friendly agricultural methods.

- Least Water-lily
A rare aquatic plant, the Pygmy Water-lily is recognizable by its small floating leaves and delicate yellow flowers.
It grows in calm, shallow waters such as ponds, small lakes, and oxbow channels.
Highly sensitive to pollution, wetland drainage, and habitat modification, it is now critically endangered in France.
Protecting this species requires strict conservation of its natural habitats and sustainable wetland management.

Many associations are very active in the region with benevolent actions for our planet.

For example, the "Bretz’Selle" association has been working for over 10 years in Strasbourg to promote cycling as an eco-friendly and friendly alternative to cars. It offers participatory bicycle repair workshops, raises awareness of soft mobility, and encourages cyclist autonomy as part of a fair and ecological transition.

There is also the "Objectif Z" initiative, led by the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, which aims to reduce waste production by 6% by 2026. This program offers free workshops, tours of waste treatment facilities, and a map of useful addresses to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle.