- The Regional Nature Park Ballons des Vosges :

Spanning four departments and encompassing a wide variety of landscapes, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park combines rounded mountains, deep forests, high-altitude meadows, and inhabited valleys. It is home to remarkable wildlife and plant species such as the Eurasian lynx, the capercaillie, and high-altitude peat bogs and beech forests. A true land of nature and traditions, the park actively works to preserve natural environments and promote the harmonious development of its villages.

- The Strasbourg-Neuhof/Illkirch Forest Massif Nature Reserve (757 hectares) :

The Neuhof-Illkirch reserve is made up of 95% dense forest, in which no fewer than 83 different species of trees and shrubs have been recorded.
Four streams discreetly cross this forest: the Rhin Tortu and its two branches, the Schwarzwasser and Brunnenwasser, along with the Altenheimerkopf. These are complemented by around thirty forest ponds and small water bodies, enhancing the ecological richness of the site.
The forest massif also features open areas, such as the Faisanderie meadows, small glades, and the Heyssel zones. These grassy islands are scattered throughout the forest, creating a variety of habitats.
Some of these ecosystems are considered natural habitats of European importance, which has earned the reserve a place in the Natura 2000 network, ensuring their protection and sustainable management.
 

- The Offendorf Forest Nature Reserve :

Located on a former gravel bank of the Rhine, this 60-hectare reserve protects a floodplain forest influenced by groundwater resurgence. Wet areas are home to willows and poplars, while drier zones shelter oaks, ashes, and shrubs. Many rare plant species grow here, and butterflies (such as the Poplar Admiral, Swallowtail) as well as amphibians (frogs, newts) find refuge in this diverse environment.

- The Saverne State Forest :
Stretching over 4,600 hectares in the heart of the sandstone Vosges, the Saverne State Forest offers 260 km of marked trails through hilly and spectacular terrain. One of its jewels, the Château du Haut-Barr—nicknamed the "Eye of Alsace"—is built on three rocks at 470 meters altitude, offering a breathtaking view over the Alsace plain.
This forest, a witness to millennia of interaction between nature and civilization, also shelters other relics such as the Gallo-Roman ruins of Wasserwald and several medieval castles. Sustainably managed by the French National Forestry Office (ONF), it remains a living space, balancing biodiversity conservation and local wood production.

- The Haguenau Forest, in nothern Alsace :
The Haguenau Forest, the sixth largest lowland forest in France, stretches across 21,000 hectares and is a true haven of nature at the gateway to Northern Alsace.
Awarded the Forêt d'Exception® label, it offers a unique ecological and cultural richness, ideal for relaxation, discovery, and outdoor activities all year round.
The iconic site of the "Gros Chêne" (Great Oak) is its vibrant heart, combining heritage, leisure, and trails accessible to all.

- The Grand Wintersberg, the highest point of the Northern Vosges :
At 581 meters, the Grand Wintersberg is the highest peak in the Northern Vosges. From its brick tower, it offers a spectacular view of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, and sometimes even Strasbourg Cathedral. Reachable on foot from Niederbronn-les-Bains via a 12.5 km trail, the site is a major hiking crossroads, including the GR53 route.

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.
 

- The Grand Hamster :
The Grand Hamster d'Alsace, also known as Cricetus cricetus, is an emblematic species in danger of extinction. Once abundant on the agricultural plains of Alsace, this rodent is now threatened mainly by urbanisation, the disappearance of its natural habitat and the intensification of maize farming. Measuring around 30cm, it can be recognized by its brown coat with black and white patches. Despite protection programs implemented since the 1990s, its population remains very fragile. Protecting the Alsatian Hamster has become a crucial issue for local biodiversity.
 

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:
 

- Adonis flammea :
Adonis flammea, also known as flaming adonis or scarlet adonis, is an annual plant belonging to the Renonculaceae family. It is distinguished by its bright red flowers, often with a black spot at the base of the petals. It grows mainly in cultivated fields and wasteland, particularly on limestone soils. Adonis flammea is on the national red list and is now protected in several European countries.
 

- Asperula arvensis :
Asperula arvensis, or field woodruff, is an annual herbaceous plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is distinguished by its purplish-blue, four-petalled flowers. This species thrives in sunny, dry, chalky soil, often in cultivated fields. Once common, it is now declining in many parts of Europe, mainly as a result of intensive farming.

Many associations are very active in the region in terms of actions that benefit our planet.

For example, the Colibri Forest Association, which aims to create plantations following the Akira Miyawaki method (Japanese botanist expert in plant ecology). To date, Colibri Forest has carried out 6 plantations in Alsace in the Bas-Rhin with more than 7,000 trees planted since 2021.
 

There's also the Strasbourg Zero Waste Association, whose goal is to promote the zero-waste approach at the local level.
It raises awareness among residents about waste issues and advocates for more sustainable waste management.