Welcome to the Wadden Sea World Heritage

The Wadden Sea is the largest tidal flats system in the world, where natural processes proceed largely undisturbed. It extends along the coasts of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

For its globally unique geological and ecological values the Wadden Sea is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. Nowhere else in the world is there such a dynamic landscape with a multitude of habitats, shaped by wind and tides. Global biodiversity is reliant on the Wadden Sea.

In the framework of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands take on the responsibility of preserving this irreplaceable ecosystem for the benefit of present and future generations.

News – latest Wadden Sea stories

30th May, 2023

Harald Marencic: “We are the guardians of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site”

Harald Marencic has been with the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat for 27 years. At the end of May 2023, he will retire.

24th May, 2023

Milestone document “The SIMP – Integrated Management Plan for ONE Wadden Sea World Heritage” adopted

The Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation (TWSC), with the Wadden Sea Plan (2010) at its backbone, operates to conduct a shared policy and management strategy for the protection and sustainable management of the area, with the imperative of safeguarding its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

23rd May, 2023

Update to Memorandum of Understanding between Wadden Sea and Korean Getbol signed

Since 2009, the Republic of Korea and the countries of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation have been in mutual exchange – on topics such as management, environmental education, and sustainable tourism, but also on the Wadden Sea’s experience in becoming a World Heritage Site.

15th May, 2023

Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands sign the Wilhelmshaven Declaration for a continued protection of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site

The Wadden Sea can make a valuable contribution to our challenges in the fields of climate, pollution, and biodiversity loss: while being a natural, species-rich ecosystem, its typical habitats also play an important role in carbon sequestration. Next to its Outstanding Universal Value all the more reason to protect it for present and future generations.

27th April, 2023

Bringing regional development in border regions to the next level

To address current developments and prospects of German border regions and their positions both among themselves and in Europe, on 20-21 April 2023, scientists, area managers, and representatives of politics and other sectors participated in a “Border Region Academy” in Berlin.

Highlights – projects of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation

International cooperation

With the inscription of sites on the World Heritage List, UNESCO aims to promote international collaboration between sites and countries. This philosophy has a long heritage in the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation.

Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Programme (TMAP)

TMAP is the joint monitoring programme of the Wadden Sea states. Launched in 1997, the programme spans a broad range of topics, such as morphology, ecological processes, wildlife and human activities.

Environmental education

Almost all visitor centers in the World Heritage region offer educational activities on the nature and culture of the Wadden Sea. The International Wadden Sea School unites educators along the Wadden Sea coast.

Where to go?

Why World Heritage?