Since most lands have been transformed by human activities in Europe, a protected area system that is aiming at conserving cultural landscapes formed by agriculture and forestry plays an important role for nature conservation policy. German nature park system is classified into this category. This study clarified the characteristics of the management organizations of German nature parks. First, the situation of protected area systems in Germany was examined in comparison with other European countries. Second, the characteristic of the nature park system in Germany was reviewed by using the prescription of the German federal nature conservation law. Finally, the present situation of management organizations of the nature parks was investigated with reference to a past study report and a field research conducted in three case examples. The study concluded that more than half of German nature parks were managed by their own corporations composed of local members such as municipalities, counties and non-governmental organizations in the western part of Germany. Nature park corporations emphasize the promotion of joint tourism development in cooperation with local municipalities. The main activity of the nature park corporations was to implement projects that contribute to landscape conservation and recreational development. The support of regional development was also an important role of nature park management.
