'A Year in Peatlands'

A series of events organised by the Greifswald Mire Centre

‘A Year in Peatlands’ is a series of events organised by the Greifswald Mire Centre that explores the diverse peatland landscape in and around Greifswald and in Vorpommern throughout the year. Each month, an excursion takes participants to a different peatland and highlights different topics – from biodiversity and climate protection to the history of peatland use, paludiculture and peatland education to rewetting and renaturation. During the winter months, the event takes place either in the cosy peatland library, with lively stories about the peatlands, or as a work assignment in a peatland with warming activities.

Excursions

The excursions take participants to near-natural peatlands, used and degraded peatlands, and rewetted areas, allowing them to experience the different conditions and functions of peatlands. The programme is free of charge, open to anyone interested and requires online registration. To ensure you get the most out of your excursion, we have put together a packing list with recommendations here. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us by email at coordination@greifswaldmoor.de

Hands-on Excursion in Mannhagen Peatland

Saturday, 7 February – 10:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Together, we will clear young trees from the peatland so that rare species can continue to thrive in their habitat. During the lunch break, we will serve warming soup to warm not only your hearts with good deeds, but also your stomachs.

Location: Mannhagen Moor, meeting point at the information board on Plattenweg

Leaders: Lisa Heinze – Michael Succow Foundation

What to bring: Warm clothing, rubber boots, gloves, something to sit on; if you have them, garden shears or hand saws.

Further information: Succow Foundation | Event details

Treasure on the coast – Polder Drammendorf on Rügen

Monday 16. of March - 11:00-13:00

As part of the nature conservation project ‘Treasure on the Coast’, the approximately 100-hectare Drammendorf polder in south-western Rügen was restorated and a formerly diked Bodden bay was reconnected to the natural flooding regime of the Kubitzer Bodden. Today, the area is used extensively and is also part of a current research project on peatland climate protection on the Baltic Sea coast. During the excursion, participants will gain insights into renaturation, use and ongoing research into greenhouse gas and nutrient exchange.

Location: Polder Drammendorf, Renaturation area display board - Google Maps

Led by: Jannis Rätz - Universität Greifswald, xx Ostseestiftung

What to bring: rubber boots, waders

Combining peatland conservation and use: conversion to wet cultivation in the Bargischow South polder

Saturday, 25 April – 10:00–12:30
 
Into the Unknown: Is site-adapted ‘wet’ moorland management in conjunction with bird, nature and climate protection goals possible on a large scale? In the Bargischow South polder, wet management with active water management is being tested in a rewetted lowland moor, solutions are being developed and implementation is being scientifically monitored. Approximately 4 km walk on roads and gravel paths.
 
Location: Bargischow South polder, at the Bargischow pumping station, Location on Google Maps
 
Led by: Anke Nordt – DUENE e.V.
 
What to bring: Weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear

Sounds of a floodplain peatland - breeding birds in the Karrendorfer Meadows

Saturday, 9 May – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
On a three-hour guided tour through the Karrendorfer Meadow landscape, we will listen to the ‘kiwitt’ and “düdüdü”, the ‘kuurli’ and perhaps even the mysterious sky goat, and discover other exciting species of the peatland. Learn more about nature conservation measures in the coastal floodplain peatlands and enjoy the breathtaking views. The peatland pavilion will also be visited during the excursion.
 
Location: Karrendorfer Wiesen, car park at Groß Karrendorf
 
Guides: Nina Seifert - Michael Succow Foundation
 
What to bring: Sturdy shoes and binoculars

History of the Mühlgraben Peatland

Saturday, June 20 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Discover the Mühlgraben Peatland and embark on a journey through the history of the peatland near Stralsund.

Location: Mühlgraben Moor, large parking lot, Vogelsangstraße 4, 18437 Stralsund

Led by: Karen Barthelemes - Universität Greifswald

What to bring: Waterproof, sturdy shoes, clothes that can get dirty, drinking water (if it is going to be warm)

The Melow Peatland: 10 years after rewetting

Sunday, July 5 - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The peatland on the Melow peninsula - what does the unused fen look like 10 years after rewetting? From the outside, it just looks like reeds, but when you look inside, it is surprisingly colorful and diverse in many ways! It even has different types of peatland and species that have become rare! You walk through reeds and rushes and can't always see where you're going. At the end, we'll have a picnic together under the hawthorn trees on the wonderful Melow peninsula in Lake Deviner.

Location: The Peatland on Melow, parking lot at the Zarrendorf sport fishing club (carpooling is recommended, as there is not much space there).

Guides: Carl Barnick, Andreas Haberl – Michael Succow Stiftung

What to bring: Rubber boots, picnic, good mood, no fear of wild boars.

Kieshofer Moor

Saturday, 15 August – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
The Kieshofer Moor is one of the oldest nature reserves in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, yet it remains the subject of fierce conflict between nature conservationists and other interested parties. We will use the vegetation as an example to examine the condition of the area and various approaches to preserving species worthy of protection.
 
Meeting point: on the road between Marktkauf Neuenkirchen and Groß Kieshof, about 100 m west of the Am Teich junction.
 
Led by: Dr. Dierk Michaelis – Universität Greifswald
 
What to bring: rubber boots

Family-friendly Tour with the 'Moorkoffer'

Wednesday, 23 September – 3:00–5:00 p.m.
 
Experience the Steinbecker Vorstadtpolder with the whole family: with creativity and ease, we will become aware of its beauty and address the following questions: How can I recognise peatlands? How are peatlands connected to the climate? What exactly is paludiculture and what is it useful for? We don't mind getting our hands and feet dirty.
 
Location: Steinbecker Vorstadtpolder, meeting point at the pumping station
 
Led by: Franziska Fett – Michael Succow Foundation, Luca Räther – University of Greifswald
 
Bring along: Sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing and a small towel

Untapped potential in the Eisenhammer polder

Sunday, October 4 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Eisenhammer polder – a little-known peatland in the middle of Greifswald. Severely subsided due to intensive drainage, it was rewetted in 2023 as a compensatory measure. Since then, it has been quite wet, largely unused, and an insider tip for birdwatchers. But what was it like in the past, what is it like now, where is this journey headed, and what else might be possible? Theoretically. But also practically?

Location: Eisenhammer polder, corner of Eisenhaer/Holzteichstrasse (Greifswald)

Led by: Carl Barnick – Michael Succow Foundation

What to bring: rubber boots, for birdwatchers: binoculars

On the trail of will-o'-the-wisps

Sunday, November 27 - 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Come to the Peatland Library to brighten up the dark winter months and immerse yourself in stories, songs and tales about will-o'-the-wisps from scientific, artistic, folkloric and other perspectives.

Location: Peatland Library, Soldmannstraße 16b, 17489 Greifswald

Host: Prof. em. Dr. Hans Joosten

Christmas in the Peatland: Christmas stories in and around the peatlands

Friday, December 18 – 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Hans Joosten invites you to the Peatland Library to celebrate Christmas in the peatland with mulled wine, warm up, and bring the winter peatland landscape to life with stories.

Location: Peatland Library, Soldmannstraße 16b, 17489 Greifswald

Host: Prof. em. Dr. Hans Joosten

Packing list

For an optimal excursion experience, we recommend bringing:

  • Sturdy, closed shoes/rubber boots

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (adjust according to season)

  • Insect repellent/sunscreen
  • Drinking water/thermos with hot drink
  • Binoculars
  • Good spirits!
The tour will still take place in light rain. If heavy rain or storms are forecast, we will cancel the tour at the latest the day before.
 
Note for smokers: For fire safety reasons, please do not smoke in the peatland or during the tour. Smoking is only permitted in car parks or outside the protected areas. Please dispose of cigarette butts carefully.
 
Toilets are available at the starting point for some excursions, but there are none along the way.
 
There are a few benches along the routes, but if you need a break, please bring a seat or a cushion with you.

Contact

Greifswald Moor Centrum

Soldmannstr. 23

17489 Greifswald

coordination@greifswaldmoor.de

Registration via: https://eveeno.com/111806670