• NATURA 2000 is intended to create a coherent ecological network of protected areas throughout Europe.
• The Habitats Directive (official name: "Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora") was adopted by the European Community in May 1992. FFH stands for the terms "Fauna (= animal world), Flora (= plant world), Habitat (= habitat)".
• The EU Birds Directive (official name: "Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds") was originally adopted in 1979. A revised version was adopted on November 30, 2009. The aims of the directive are the "protection, management and regulation" of European bird species.

The state of Lower Saxony has so far notified 385 sites to the European Commission in accordance with the Habitats Directive, two of which are partially located in Salzgitter and one of which is completely located in Salzgitter:

• No. 121 Innerste floodplain (with Kanstein)
• No. 122 Salzgitter ridge (southern part)
• No. 384 Great crested newt biotope Haverlahwiese open-cast mine

Of the 71 bird sanctuaries declared by the state of Lower Saxony on 28.07.2009, two areas are located entirely or partially in Salzgitter:

• No. V51 Heerter See
• No. V52 Innerstetal from Langelsheim to Groß Düngen