The 475 km² Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is situated in the southeast of the State of Brandenburg, just a few kilometres west of Cottbus and 100 km southeast of Berlin.

It extends over a length of approx. 55 km and is up to 15 km wide along the middle reaches of the River Spree and covers parts of the Rural District Authorities of Dahme-Spreewald, Oberspreewald-Lausitz and Spree-Neisse. A total of 50,000 people live here in 37 villages and two towns.

The special charm of the biosphere reserve lies in its park-like landscape structure which is criss-crossed by a great many channels and is a habitat rich in indigenous species of animals and plants. Generations of Wendish and German settlers have created the mosaic of small meadows, fields and woodland that remains typical today of the Inner Oberspreewald area, while semi-natural broadleaved forests are typical for the Unterspreewald area.

The biosphere reserve is divided into four zones according to international guidelines:

Zone I (Core area and nature conservation area)

These areas are accorded the highest protection status. They are left completely to their natural dynamic, are not farmed and are used for research to a limited extent. These areas may not be entered under any circumstances.

Zone II (Managed zone and nature conservation area)

This serves to protect the core areas from any damaging impact, to maintain and manage the diversity typical of the countryside and protect rare and endangered species of animals and plants. Nature conservation has priority in terms of the utilisation of these zones. This also means that users must always keep to the designated waterways and footpaths.

The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve was established in 1990 as part of the National Parks Programme for the GDR, literally in the final hours of the East Germany's existence, when 5 national parks, 6 biosphere reserves and 3 nature parks were designated at the last-ever meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 12th September 1990.

The land preservation order was enacted on 1st October 1990 and the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve received international recognition by UNESCO just a few months later in March 1991. The designation of the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve was based on the many years of preparatory work undertaken by nature conservation volunteers who even in the eighties had sought to retain this unique landscape as a large-scale reserve.

The aim of the biosphere reserve is to conserve the diverse cultural landscape of the Spreewald shaped by man for centuries together with local people and to fashion it to meet the needs of the future.

In order to retain a landscape that is typical of the Spreewald and the wealth of species it contains, it is particularly important to safeguard the hydrological balance. Indeed, a lack of water - whether in the groundwater supply or the region's many water courses - is the biggest problem for flora and fauna characteristic of wetlands.

Brandenburg has enlisted the services of wildlife wardens since 1991. The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve has 9 wardens who are responsible for 48,000 hectares.

They monitor compliance with the provisions of nature conservation legislation, act as partners and advisers to the local people in the Spreewald and their visitors on issues of nature conservation and land use and provide information on the region's special characteristics.

When it comes to environmental education and information, the wildlife wardens also make a major contribution, and not only for adults. Children and young people in particular are introduced to the interrelationships in nature based on play.

Our Spreewald wildlife wardens are based at:

The biosphere reserve's visitor information centres at Lübbenau, Schlepzig and Burg allow visitors to take another look at the Spreewald.

The information centres are open daily at 10.00 - 17.00 hrs from April (the herb garden from May) to mid-October. At any other time, the centres are open on request (telephone: 03542 82131).

You'll find out lots of information and make fantastic wildlife discoveries of course when you take part in the walks and cycle tours with the Wildlife Warden at the biosphere reserve. A programme of activities is also available for children, such as the Junior Ranger Pass.

For a detailed calendar of events, please visit www.grossschutzgebiete.brandenburg.de/br_spree.