The Solling-Vogler Nature Park (German: Naturpark Solling-Vogler) is a nature park in South Lower Saxony in Germany. It has an area of 52,000 hectares (200sqmi) and was established in 1966.
The nature park includes the hill ranges of the Solling and the Vogler but also the Burgberg which lies east of Weser valley between the two upland regions. It is looked after by the Zweckverband Naturpark Solling-Vogler, whose sponsors are the districts of Holzminden and Northeim and the state of Lower Saxony.
The Bunter sandstone ridge of the Solling (up to 528 m AMSL) has the appearance of a high plateau with mixed forests, wet meadows and moors. The Vogler (460m) is also a sandstone upland, but with many hills and valleys with steep rock faces.
Flora and fauna
The Solling-Vogler Nature Park comprises 106ha (260 acres) old oakwood pasture, 33ha (82 acres)European spruce–larch mixed forest stands, about 6ha (15 acres) former grazing and farmland, and some streams and brooks surrounded by riparian forest. Several species have been recorded that are endangered on the national Red List, including several Lichenes, ceramic fungus (Xylobolus frustulatus), stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and darkling beetle (Corticeus fasciatus). Bird species recorded include middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius). Exmoor ponies and heck cattle have been released in 2000 to maintain the park's ecosystem.[1]
The abbeys of Amelungsborn and Corvey as well as Bevern Castle are outstanding historic buildings and are all located within the nature park. In Fürstenberg there is an old porcelain works. Between Silberborn and Neuhaus is the Hochsolling Observation Tower. Close to the tower is the nature reserve of Hochmoor Mecklenbruch near Silberborn and the Neuhaus Deer Park (see external links), with its forest museum, near Neuhaus.