Since March 2007, there have been controversial discussions about the inclusion of parts of the northern Steigerwald Nature Park in UNESCO's World Heritage Programme by their conversion into a Steigerwald National Park. A study by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation lists those parts of the Steigerwald that are considered particularly worthy of protection because of the presence of very rare stands of beech-forest and their great variety of species. According to this proposal around 11,000 hectares, which accounts for just under 9% of the national forest, should be converted into a national park. The interest groups of private and corporate forest owners, forestry and agriculture and people from across the political spectrum are trying to do this with particular regard to preventing the loss of jobs.