It was established as early as 1922, initially with 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) of nature reserve.

They were established under section 22, paragraph 4 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG).

They comprise about 25% of the total land area of Germany and are linked by the Verband Deutscher Naturparke (Association of German Nature Parks).

[1] Note that this is a separate category from the 14 Nationalparke (national parks) of Germany, under paragraph 24 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

NSGs with an area of more than 100 hectares are: There are more than 50 protected landscapes (Landschaftsschutzgebiete or LSGs) in the park.