Biosphere Reserve Spreewald

Black stork
European otter
Arrowhead
A Landscape like a Park
From the name Spreewald (lit. Spree-forest) one can already
guess that this lowland, carved through with circa 1,575
kilometers of waterways, was once largely covered by forests.
The waterways were created – so the story goes – when oxen
Blue
Darner
ran away from the devil and ploughed deep channels in the
land. With great effort men and women wrested fields and
meadows from this primeval forest. They created the parklike landscape that makes the Spreewald so special. But the
once merely extra income for the inhabitants who otherwise
coming generations will only be able to experience this diverse,
lived from agriculture, mining or the power station, has today
mosaicked landscape if we take care of it. For this reason in
become an important economic basis for those in the biosphere
2007 the inhabitants of the Spreewald founded the civic trust
reserve. Around 4 million tourists come to the area every year.
Without water it would be impossible to secure this biodi-
quality that results from the filtration effect of the Spreewald.
»Kulturlandschaft Spreewald« together with the biosphere
But it cannot be the sole economic pillar.
versity both so fascinating and worthy of conservation. For
The European brook lamprey also lives in the Spreewald. Spe-
Species-Rich
areas where the slender alders, poplars, and other trees don’t
shade the banks. Rare fish such as the burbot bustle about in
the remaining near-natural areas thanks to the improved water
it is above all water than forms the plant and animal world
cialized dragonfly species such as the Ophiogomphus Cecilia
manmade and yet near-natural Spreewald landscape, and
For this reason the cultural landscape must be used in an
of the Spreewald. 6,000 plant and animal species have been
and the river clubtail attest to the increasingly ecologically
to provide for sustainable development. Tourism, which was
environmentally friendly way, together with the people living
documented in the biosphere reserve. Of the 1,600 known
intact waters.
Shaped by Humans
here. This points clearly toward the development of sustain-
plant species 585 are on the Red List of the most endangered
able land use methods. The Spreewald farmers are especially
plants, including the water chestnut, species of sundew, West-
engaged in organic cultivation. More than 50 farms and
ern marsh and other orchids. The animal world of the Spree-
100 kilometers southeast of Berlin is a landscape unmatched
around 70 percent of the agricultural area in the biosphere
wald is also rich. The number of the documented species is
anywhere in Central Europe – the Spreewald. As a result of
reserve is organically farmed. Majority of the farmers have
astounding: 830 different butterflies, 113 mussels and snails,
the last Ice Age, around 20,000 years ago, the river Spree
spoken out in favor of the Spreewald as region being free
48 dragonflies, 36 fish, and 49 mammals have been found to
was split here into a finely articulated network of waterways.
of genetically modified crops. In addition to vegetables, the
date. Of the 217 breeding birds known in Brandenburg 152
A large inland delta arose. Today the waterways run through
famous Spreewaldgurke (Spreewald pickle) can be had as an
are found in the Spreewald.
a flood plain formed by hundreds of years of human activity
organic product, as can, above all, milk, beef, and pork and
This diversity on the biosphere reserve can be traced back to
and yet remain largely in a near-natural state. This is a habitat
increasingly poultry as well. So too the damage that was in-
the numerous extant biotopes. These include different forest
for numerous plant and animal species, several of which are
flicted in the past by intensive land and forest use as well as
ecosystems in which black storks, cranes, and osprey find
extinct or endangered in other areas. This one-time cultural
brown coal mining in the Lausitz is gradually being repaired.
nesting places. Species common to open landscapes populate
landscape was designated a biosphere reserve in 1990, and
Of particular significance is the stabilization of the sensitive
meadows and fields, topped willows and fruit trees.
received the recognition of UNESCO in March 1991. As a result
water management and the preservation of the typical habi-
These include marsh and wading birds like the common snipe
the circa-475-square-kilometer Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
tats by the Spreewald Riparian Buffer Strips Project. The fed-
and the Eurasian curlew. The hoopoe, which likes to nest in
is now part of a worldwide system that today includes around
eral government, the state government of Brandenburg and
the trunks of older trees, also belongs to this group and as
530 large reserves. Around 50,000 people live in the cultural
the association »Spreewald Riparian Buffer Strips Project«
does the typical commensal species the white stork.
landscape of the Spreewald in 37 villages and the cities of
have allocated around 15 million Euros for this conservation
At home on the waterways is a rich plant world with various
Lübben, Lübbenau, and Vetschau.
project until 2012.
pondweeds, arrowhead, water starwort, water lilies, at least in
reserve. The trust serves to find new ways to preserve the
Ministry of Environment, Health and Consumer Protection of the Federal State of
Brandenburg
Editors: Brandenburg State Office of Environment, Health and Consumer Protection,
Office of Press and Public Relations, 14476 Potsdam, OT Groß Glienicke, Seeburger
Chaussee 2, Tel. (03 32 01) 4 22 - 0 and Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
Photographs: Bildarchiv Biosphärenreservat Spreewald, W. Albrecht, St. Butzeck,
B. Choritz, I. Hiekel, F. Hildebrand, E. Nowak, F. Schröder, E. Schutt, G. Tosonowski,
A. Weingardt, R. Weißflog, M. Werban
Map: Pro Line Concept, Berlin
Design/Production: Power-DesignThing GmbH
Printing: Landesvermessung und Geobasisinformation Brandenburg
As of: Juli 2013
United Nations
Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation
Landesamt für
Umwelt,
Gesundheit und
Verbraucherschutz
Spreewald
Biosphere Reserve since 1990
Man and the Biosphere Programme
Biosphärenreservat
Spreewald
Spreewald
Biosphere Reserve
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
Freiimfelde
ecologically friendly tourism new canoe routes have been
decided upon by the local authorities, the tourism office, and
the canoe operators, as has a new bike and hiking network
been developed. Where nature allows new possibilities arise
to learn about tradition and agriculture and, last but not least,
to observe the animals on the Barzlin between Lübben and
Lübbenau or on the Wussegk in the Unterspreewald (Lower
Spreewald). Naturally visitors can gather a great deal of
Krimnitz
Klein Radden
Alteno
Willmersdorf-
LÜBBENAU/
SPREEWALD
Groß
Beuchow
Hindenberg
Kittlitz
reserve. Also well worth the trip is a visit to the herb garden
or the barrier-free Natur-Erlebnis-Uhr (Nature Experiece Clock)
on the Schlossberghof in Burg or to one the tours offered by
the nature watch.
Burg Kolonie
Groß-Klessow
Burg/
Spreewald
umfl
uter
A15
Guhrow
Naturschutzgebiete (NSG)
Nature reserve (NR)
Groß Lübbenau
Landschaftsschutzgebiete (LSG)
Lichtenau
Landscape protection
area (LPA)
Naundorf
Raddusch
Information
Information
Schönfeld-Nord
Informationszentren des Biosphärenreservates
Schlabendorf
Information center of the biosphere reserve
Naturschutz-Information
Stradow
Landkreis
Nature Watch Information
Church
Brahmow
Suschow
Bischdorf
Kirche
Schloss
Castle
Presenchen
Museum
Windmühle
Windmill
Dubrau
Aussichtspunkt
Observation point
Papitz
Bathow
AS 3 Vetschau
Groß Jehser
Europawanderweg
E 10
Kunersdorf
Dahlitz
Mlode
European Hiking Trail E 10
Lobendorf
Gurkenradweg
Gurkenradweg (Pickle bike path)
1km = 0,9 cm
0
Mallenchen
Sc
ke
hra
Erpitz
Rabenau
Milkersdorf
VETSCHAU
Koßwig
Kalkwitz
Ruben
Belten
Lausitz
Campingplatz
Camping grounds
S p r e e - N e
Europawanderweg
Babow
Oberspreewald-
Zinnitz
Museum
Kahnabfahrtsstelle
Canoe departure point
Fürstlich
Drehna
Werben
Müschen
Fleißdorf
Buckow
5 km
N
Reuden
Calau
The true magic of the Spreewald
is most impressive on a canoe trip,
which can be begun almost anywhere.
Eichow
Saßleben
L49
Repten
Limberg
Krieschow
The Spree Forest still covers about
one-fourth of the area. In addition to
the famous alder high forest in the
Oberspreewald there are also forest
areas in the Unterspreewald.
Alt Zauche
Burg and environs
Lübben and environs
d k r eandi environs
s
Lübbenau
Neu Zauche
Schlepzig
Straupitz
Vetschau and environs
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Schlossberghof Burg
Briesen
Permanent
exhibition, Natur-ErlebnisUhr, Medicinal and Herb Garden, Burg
office of the administration of the
ibiosphere
ß e reserve,
Oberspreewald Nature Watch
Byhleguhrer Str. 17, 03096 Burg
Gulben
Tel: Außenstelle
(03 56 03) 691- 0
Fax: (03 56 03) 691 - 22
Naturwacht: (03 56 03) 750 - 146
Fax: (03 56 03) 754 - 675
Old Mill – Schlepzig
Zahsow
Permanent exhibition,
Schlepzig office of the administration of
the biosphere reserve,
Kolkwitz
Unterspreewald Nature Watch
Dorfstraße 52, 15910 Schlepzig
Kolkwitz
Tel: (03 54 72) 648 - 98, Fax: - 99
Naturwacht: (03 54 72) 52 - 30
White Stork Information Center
of NABU
Drebkauer Str. 2a, 03226 Vetschau
Tel/Fax: (03 54 33) 41- 00
Spreewald Tourism Center
Lindenstr. 1, 03226 Vetschau
OT Raddusch
Tel: (03 54 33) 72 - 299, Fax: - 228
[email protected]
www.spreewald.de
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Museum
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Learning trail
NP
Niederlausitzer
Landrücken
NP
Niederlausitzer
Heidelandschaft
“Haus für Mensch und Natur‟
Permanent exhibition, administration of the biosphere reserve
Schulstr. 9, 03222 Lübbenau
Tel: (0 35 42) 89 21 - 0, Fax: - 40
[email protected]
www.biosphaerenreservat-spreewald.
brandenburg.de
Striesow Dissen
www.grossschutzgebiete.brandenburg.de
Bismarckturm
Süd
NP
Schlaubetal
BR
Spreewald
Fehrow
Schmogrow
Leipe
Boblitz
3
Cahnsdorf
Saccasne
Sacca
Burg Kauper
Ha
upts
pree
Grenze
Spreewald
Border ofBiosphärenreservat
the Spreewald Biospere
Reserve
Hikes and bike tours with the Spreewald rangers uncover exciting and
often forgotten insights into nature.
But the work of the nature watch staff
is much more than just this: they see
to the implementation of the species
protection programs, such as the one
for the European otter, for bats or for
amphibians. They are also involved in
the observation program from which
valuable information about the development of various species and habitats
is won. The rangers also provide for
environmental education.
L a n
Lehde
A1
One can learn about the development
of the Spreewald from a primeval to
a cultural landscape as well as much
more at the information center of the
Spreewald Biosphere Reserve »Haus
für Mensch und Natur« in the old
city of Lübbenau, which, just like
the centers in Burg and Schlepzig, is
financed by the Allianz Environmental
Foundation.
NP
DahmeHeideseen
PLACES
r See
le
Byh Reserves in
Large Nature
Brandenburg
Groß Radden
knowledge about the Spreewald landscape and its inhabitants at any of the three information centers of the biosphere
guhre
NLP = Nationalpark
BR = Biosphärenreservat
NP = Naturpark
A13
Terpt
tna
the Spreewald every year. In order to create and maintain
uter
Großschutzgebiete
in Brandenburg
Byhleguhre
Kle
p
Millions of people discover the beauty and natural riches of
umfl
Ragow
Spreewald, but which is endangered throughout Germany.
Discover the Spreewald
Nord
Duben
after for the white stork, which has a stabile population in the
the Spreewald.
NLP= national park
Byhlen
(Nationalpark)
BR = biosphere reserve
(Biosphärenreservat)
NP = nature park (Naturpark)
Europawanderweg
NP
NutheNieplitz
NP
Hoher
Fläming
Vacation
on the farm
87
grounds are maintained and created and aeries are looked
– 20 specifically endangered European species are present in
Straupitz
L49
are implemented for endangered species. For example feeding
NP
Märkische
Schweiz
Camping
ee
spr
upt
Ha
Neuendorf
observation programs. In addition special protection programs
last breeding grounds in Europe. In total – excluding the birds
Potsdam
Alt Zauche
Kaden
Bernau
BERLIN
Gurkenradweg
environmental research of the German large reserves with its
NP
Barnim
NP
Westhavelland
Neu Zauche
Wußwerk
Steinkirchen
NLP
Unteres
Odertal
Riding/charabanc
Butzen
Deichsiedlung
Treppendorf
NP
Uckermärkische
Seen
BR
StechlinSchorfheideRuppiner Land
Chorin
NP
Rheinsberg
Bike rental
Ratsvorwerk
The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve takes part in the system of
through the Flora-Fauna-Guidelines of the EU. This is one of its
BR Flusslandschaft
Elbe-Brandenburg
Boat rental
Laasow
Burglehn
Canoe departure point
320
Niewitz
Research and Protection
Great attention is also given to the protected European otter
Sacrow
Accommodations/
restaurant
Gubener
Vorstadt
OFFERINGS
Neue Spree
115
Schiebsdorf
LÜBBEN/
SPREEWALD
Caminchen
Radensdorf
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Haus des Gastes (Guest House)
Tourist Information Burg (Spreewald)
Am Hafen 6, 03096 Burg (Spreewald)
Tel: (03 56 03) 417, Fax: 498
touristinfo-burg-spreewald@ t-online.de
www.burg-spreewald-tourismus.de
Spreewaldinfo Lübben
Ernst-von-Houwald-Damm 15
15907 Lübben (Spreewald)
Tel: (0 35 46) 30 - 90, 24 - 33, Fax: 25 43
[email protected]
www.luebben.de
Spreewald Tourist Information Lübbenau
Ehm-Welk-Str. 15, 03222 Lübbenau
Tel: (0 35 42) 36 - 68, Fax: 467 - 70
[email protected]
www.spreewald-online.de
Tourist Information Stadt Vetschau/Spreewald
Schloßstr. 10, 03226 Vetschau
Tel: (03 54 33) 777 - 84, Fax: 23 - 02
[email protected]
www.vetschau.com
Tourist Information Oberspreewald
(Fremdenverkehrsvereine Straupitz,
Alt Zauche, Neu Zauche)
Kirchstr. 11, 15913 Straupitz/Spreewald
Tel: (03 54 75) 80 - 977, 16 - 771
Fax: 16 - 771, 86 - 365
Tourist Information Unterspreewald
Dorfstr. 26, 15910 Schlepzig
Tel: (03 54 72) 64 - 025, Fax: - 024
[email protected]