Nature conservation areas are legally designated areas in which special protection of nature and landscape is required

1. for the conservation, development or restoration of habitats, biotopes or communities of certain wild animal and plant species,
2. for scientific, natural history or regional history reasons or
3. because of their rarity, special character or outstanding beauty.

The purpose of protection is described in more detail in a legal ordinance for the respective protected area and regulations are laid down on behavior in the area. Actions that could lead to damage or lasting disturbance are prohibited in order to maintain the high importance of the areas for ecology and the experience of nature.

• Rettbergsaue nature reserve
• Rabengrund nature reserve
• Wickerbachtal nature reserve
• Nature reserve Theißtal
• Sommerberg nature reserve
• Prügelwiesen nature reserve
• Niederwallufer Bucht nature reserve
• The Rettbergsaue, Rabengrund and Theißtal nature reserves were notified to the European Union (EU) as part of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive).

The aim of this directive is to ensure comprehensive Europe-wide habitat and species protection, which is to be made binding for the nation states through corresponding legislation at European level. After national and Europe-wide examination of the proposals, the selected areas are compiled in a list by the EU Commission and made public. The implementation of the conservation measures is the responsibility of the nation states, whereby no further requirements of the EU Commission are added to the "biosphere reserve" and "nature conservation area".