Environmental Protection on Military Training Areas in Germany: A Contradiction?

„The state protects […] the natural foundation of life […].” (German Constitution Article 20 a). The presentation outlines the challenges and procedures to ensure legally compliant military use of German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) training areas. The Bundeswehr manages approximately 150.000 hectares of training areas (large troop training grounds). About two-thirds of this area is designated as NATURA 2000 sites (Fauna-Flora-Habitat and bird protection areas). The aim is to integrate military training with environmental and nature conservation. This includes managing environmental requirements and safety regulations. Based on practical examples, it will be proved that, with sufficient effort environmental protection and military practise can coexist in Germany and are, in fact, not a contradiction. Thomas Backes is a geologist based in Munich with over 30 years of professional experience in environmental and military geology. He earned his M.Sc. in Geology from the universities of Bonn and Aachen and began his career in an engineering office for environmental issues in Cologne. From 1993 to 2013, he held several positions as a Military Geologist in Potsdam, Munich, and Euskirchen, including international missions abroad. Since 2013, he has been working at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services in Munich. Thomas Backes is married and has two boys.