Schwentine meadows Project
Between Preetz and Raisdorf - very close to our reserve "Raisdorfer Teiche" - lies the small river Schwentine, whose near-natural state has largely been preserved. The use of pastures for thousands of years has resulted in a structurally rich cultural landscape in which alluvial forests and reeds have found their place as well as hedges and meadows. When pasture land became unprofitable for farmers, the municipality of Raisdorf and later CABS acquired a large part of the land in order to protect it for nature conservation. Further areas above the floodplain were then added by the purchase by the "Foundation for Nature Conservation" of Schleswig-Holstein. Since 2004, a total of almost 680,000 square metres have been available for nature conservation.
A large number of rare and endangered animals and plant species can be found here. Particularly worth mentioning are the breeding populations of endangered bird species that only occur in the open country, such as the Whinchat, Corncrake and Red-backed Shrike. The meadows along the river have also developed positively for winter visitors and migrating birds: white-tailed eagles, snipes, goldeneyes and merganser are regularly observed. Six newly created waters now contain moor frogs, grass frogs, deciduous frogs, water frogs, ground toads and pond newts, as well as numerous dragonfly species and grass snakes.
By concluding a care contract, as of 2004 the three landowners have undertaken to establish the "Schwentinetal pasture landscape". The near-natural landscape is to be preserved and promoted by extensive grazing - landscape conservation is to be overseen by an organic farmer.
To date, the development has already led to the areas being designated as an important European reserve in accordance with the Habitats Directive ("Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive"). We assume that the measures will make an outstanding contribution to nature conservation and that the Schwentinetal will also become a showcase project beyond the state of Schleswig-Holstein.