The Stühe nature reserve is a historically old forest site, which means that there was essentially forest here dating back to the Middle Ages. The forest will continue to be managed in the future, but will be given a more natural look, primarily through a more diverse age profile of the tree population. Past events and special features give this forest a comparatively high profile in the region. The legendary poacher Hasen-Ahlers plied his trade there over a hundred years ago, the so-called Welsburg castle was located there and the “Friesenbaum”, a very old oak tree, once stood there. A special feature of the nature reserve is the presence of a fallow deer herd, which was originally established in the Stühe in 1962 with 5 specimens and still exists today.
According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, a nature reserve is a legally designated area in which special protection of nature and landscape is required for the conservation or restoration of ecosystems, for scientific reasons or because of their rarity, uniqueness or beauty. Actions that could lead to changes or even damage to the nature reserve are prohibited.