- The Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park :
At its heart lie the High Vosges and 36 peaks over 1,000 meters. The Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park is the most populated and mountainous of the six parks in the Grand Est region. Its name comes from the rounded summits known as "ballons".

This vast area of 2,921.06 km² (2,234.49 km² of which lie in the Grand Est, the rest in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region) is home to a wealth of remarkable natural environments: high-altitude meadows, peat bogs, ancient beech-fir forests, and limestone grasslands. Its fauna and flora are both exceptionally rich and fragile.

- The Grand Ventron Massif Nature Reserve :
Created in 1989, the Grand Ventron massif nature reserve covers 1,647 hectares across the Vosges and Haut-Rhin slopes. It shelters a preserved mountain forest rich in biodiversity: birds, insects, mammals, and notably the capercaillie. The site includes beech-fir forests, peat bogs, mountain meadows, and rocky screes.

- The Petite Camargue Alsacienne Nature Reserve :
Established in 1982, the Petite Camargue Alsacienne Nature Reserve is the first national reserve in Alsace. Located in the southern part of Haut-Rhin, it stretches for 15 km along the Upper Rhine.
This reserve, of national and international importance, aims to preserve the habitats and species characteristic of the plain. Located at a biogeographical crossroads, it is rich in biodiversity and hosts a great variety of animal and plant species.

- The Harth State Forest :
Located in the Haut-Rhin, the Harth State Forest covers 13,000 hectares near major cities like Mulhouse and Colmar. Rich in biodiversity, most of it is classified as part of the Natura 2000 network and hosts rare species and habitats. Sustainably managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF), it includes biological reserves and plays a key role in studying the effects of climate change.

- The Hardtwald Forest Nature Reserve in Heiteren :
The Méquillet or Hardtwald Forest, south of Neuf-Brisach, spans 250 hectares in a dry area of the Alsatian plain. Its filtering soil and low rainfall limit tree growth, creating a sparse forest with high botanical value. It is home to rare plants in France, typical of Eastern European steppes, such as spring pheasant’s eye (Adonis vernalis) and gas plant (Dictamnus albus).

- Markstein & Grand Ballon :
Markstein is a resort in the Vosges Mountains, between 1,020 and 1,268 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. It offers a wide range of flora, fauna, and outdoor activities year-round: skiing, hiking, mountain biking, sledding, paragliding, and more. It's an ideal destination for sports, relaxation, and nature.

The Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges at 1,424 meters, is popular for hiking and winter sports. Tourism there began in the 19th century. A monument honors the "Blue Devils" of World War I, and an air radar designed by architect Claude Vasconi is located at the summit. A viewpoint indicator offers panoramic views.

- The Hohneck :
The Hohneck, the second-highest peak in the Vosges at 1,364 meters, marks the border between Alsace and Lorraine. Popular with hikers, it offers exceptional views and is home to rich wildlife, including chamois. Surrounded by glacial cirques and overlooking Lake Schiessrothried, it is a remarkable natural site. Nearby lies the Petit Hohneck (1,288 meters).
 

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 Eurasian Lynx :
It is a large, wild feline, discreet and solitary, recognizable by its pointed ears with black tufts, its short tail with a black tip, and its spotted coat. It lives in dense and mountainous forests of Europe and Asia.
In France, it is mainly found in the Jura, the Alps, and the Vosges. It needs vast, quiet territories to live and reproduce.
In Alsace, the lynx is threatened by habitat fragmentation, collisions with vehicles, poaching, and a population too small to ensure its long-term survival. It is classified as "critically endangered" in the Grand Est region. Conservation efforts are underway to try to restore its presence.

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:
 

- Marsh Gladiolus :
This is a rare perennial plant with purplish-pink flowers, growing in wet and marshy meadows on poor calcareous soils. It blooms in June and July and tolerates temporary flooding. Mainly found in Alsace, the Jura, and Haute-Savoie, the species is rapidly declining due to the degradation of its natural habitats.
 

- Angular-stemmed Garlic (Angular Garlic) :
A perennial plant 30 to 80 cm tall, recognizable by its angular stem and linear basal leaves. It grows in wet and marshy meadows, mainly in lowlands but up to 1500 meters in altitude. It is threatened by habitat degradation due to hydraulic works and agricultural intensification.
 

Many associations are very active in the Colmar area in terms of caring for our planet.
 

For example, the “Observatoire de la Nature” is working to sensitize local residents to the challenges of sustainable development and environmental preservation. The organization's activities cover a wide range of topics, from workshops for young people in schools and leisure centers, to exhibitions, storytelling walks and geocaching workshops for adults.
We have been supporting this association for several years. 

Since 2013, “Haies Vives d'Alsace” has been working to restore trees to their rightful place in our landscapes. These passionate members support tree and hedge planting projects in order to recreate ecosystems.