Behind the project

In Nordals Nature Park, care, protection and use of nature go hand in hand. There is room for both nature and people.

About Nordals Nature Park

What is a Nature Park?

Nordals Nature Park has been one of 18 Danish nature parks since 2020. The Danish Outdoor Council administers Danish Nature Parks, og Sonderborg Municipality is behind the development of Nordals Nature Park.

A nature park is a large, continuous landscape that often contains natural areas of regional, national or international importance. A nature park is well-demarcated, has great scenic beauty, natural richness and cultural-historical value.

The Nature Park Council for Nordals Nature Park

The Nature Park Council for Nordals Nature Park has been established by the municipal council of Sonderborg Municipality. Local associations, organizations and landowners are represented in the Nature Park Council.

See the members of the Nature Park Council

Representative for:	Name:
Sonderborg City Council Chairman of the Nature Park Council	Asger Romme Andersen
Sonderborg City Council Deputy for the Nature Park Council	Susanne Blegvad Posselt
Southern Jutland Nature Agency	Inge Gillesberg
Aage V. Jensen's Nature Foundation	Sanne Frederiksen
SPIRAS	Jens Lei
Larger landowners	Jens Lei
Danish Society for Nature Conservation	Birgitte Marcussen
Danish Ornithological Society	Bjarne Nielsen
Nordborg Sports Fishing Association	Jesper Erhardsen
The Danish Hunters' Association	Jens Hangaard
The Outdoor Council	Birger Jonsson
Museum South Jutland	Carsten Porskrog Rasmussen
Visit Sonderborg	Mette Sehrt
Oksbøl Parish Association	Esther Olesen
The Sports Foundation for Nordals	Jens Christian Hansen

Birds on a branch in Sonderborg with beautiful blue color and natural background.

Vision and goals

In Nordals Nature Park, consideration for nature and public access support each other. The nature park focuses on the care, protection and use of nature, so that there is room for both nature and people, and that the valuable landscapes and natural areas are preserved.

The purpose of Nordals Nature Park

The nature park must be the framework for nature experiences, outdoor activities and communication of the area's values: geology, cultural history, significant habitat types and areas of high natural quality. The nature park's activities must be anchored in local engagement.

We must take care of our nature so that it can develop and not suffer harm. It is therefore important that we have a plan that ensures that we both care for the unique nature of Nordals Nature Park and at the same time open the area to visitors.

Erik Lauritzen

Mayor, Sonderborg Municipality

Nature park plan for Nordals Nature Park

Every five years, Sonderborg Municipality prepares a Nature Park Plan for Nordals Nature Park. The Nature Park Plan sets the framework for how the Nature Park will develop in the coming years. The Nature Park Council and other stakeholders help create the content of the Nature Park Plan.

The Nature Park Plan for Nordals Nature Park 2025-30 focuses on creating coherent trail routes and developing the area even further, so that the public has easier access to good nature experiences at Nordals. The plan contains objectives in relation to nature, arrivals, trails and collaborations with local stakeholders.

Read the Nature Park Plan for Nordals Nature Park 2025-30

The nature park plan prioritizes a number of trail routes that create coherence and make the park accessible from several places. The area in Oksbøl forest at Havnbjerg and Mjels Pumpehus is to be developed into central meeting places and entrances to the park that can provide multiple functions in terms of communication, parking and other facilities. In addition, a number of smaller support points will support communication, access to trails and parking across the park.

To realize the ambitious plan, Naturpark Nordals will apply for grants from external funds.

Voluntariness and criteria

The nature park must meet 10 criteria. One of them is that more than 50% of the area must be protected nature.

In Nordals Nature Park, the area is 1938 ha., and 52% of the area is protected nature. In addition, the Nature Park must meet a number of criteria that ensure administration, operation and development of the Nature Park. Among other things, a Nature Park Council must be established.

The landowners voluntarily participate in the Nature Park and is not subject to any special restrictions beyond applicable law. The plot owners can withdraw from the Nature Park at any time.

The Danish Outdoor Council's 10 criteria for Danish Nature Parks

The orange area on the map shows the boundaries of Nordals Nature Park.*

* The northern area, Knuden by Bundsø and the area southwest of Oksbølvej, are no longer part of the Nature Park as of 1.9.2026, as the landowner has wished to withdraw. The map will be revised.

Partners and producers in Nordals Nature Park

Do you produce honey, juice, meat or something completely different in Nordals Nature Park?
Do you offer Bed & Breakfast, hotel stays, experiences, outdoor trips or anything else in Nordals Nature Park?

We would like to strengthen the positive narrative of Nordals as an area where business development, consideration for nature and sustainability go hand in hand. Therefore, Naturpark Nordals has a goal of supporting sustainable, local producers and actors.

If you produce sustainable food, non-food products or have activities in or near Nordals Nature Park, we would like to enter into a dialogue with you about a collaboration on marketing using the Nature Park's logo.

We use Wadden Sea National Park guidelines, a points system that determines the degree of sustainability and the affiliation with Naturpark Nordals. If your product or activity scores enough points, we would like to enter into a partnership agreement.

We have some simple requirements

The majority of the product must be produced in Nordals Nature Park or within a radius of 10 km.
The activities must take place in Nordals Nature Park or within a radius of 10 km.
Use of the logo must be approved by the secretariat of Nordals Nature Park before it is used for marketing.