NABU Info-Zentrum Blumberger Mühle

Blumberger Mühle Information Centre

Introduction and Background

Biosphere Reserve? What"s that?
There are 322 reserves in the world, which are recognised by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). The Schorfheide-Chorin reserve was added to these in September 1990. As such it has the same level of importance as famous reserves such as Yellowstone National Park in the USA, the Hawaiian Islands, or the Seregeti in Africa. The UNESCO classified the landscape between upper Havel, lower Oder and Barnim in the north eastern part of Brandenburg, as so scientifically interesting and important, that the area was selected and included in the world wide research project, MAB (Man and the Biosphere).

Why should we have a reserve here?
The remnants of the ice age of 15,000 years ago, the huge diversity of plants and animals, and the history of land use in the area, has formed an extremely interesting landscape, that has no equivalent in west Europe. The reserve is also an excellent model of how the life and work of man is possible without the destruction of nature.

What is the importance of a reserve?
Unlike a national park, in which nature is left to its own devices, in a reserve, there is the chance to test and establish new scientific ideas. It forms an example of how man can live and work the land, but at the same time, conserve it for future generations.

"Sustainable Development should be our aim, as decided by 100 states at the 1992 Environmental Summit in Rio de Janeiro. To obtain sustainable development, we need to form new scientifically based methods of using the land. Nature reserves across the world, such as Schorfheide-Chorin, can be used to test these new methods.

The NABU-Information Centre at Blumberger Mühle, informs you about the aim of the Schorfheide-Chorin Nature Reserve, its landscape and the history of its formation, as well as the huge diversity of plants and animals to be found here.

The Building
- The idea - a hollow tree stump! by the architect, Bernd Kühn -
The aim was to produce a natural" form for the building which would fit into the surrounding landscape. The scale, shape, materials and colours are orientated around the surroundings. The visitors find themselves in the inner hollow part of the tree stump, where they are able to discover the information on offer. The exhibition rooms have been so designed that one is able to concentrate, learn and experience in seclusion.

The basic plan of the building is the same as that of a tree stump in that it holds a large diversity of life and information. Life can grow out of something which is seemingly dead and inanimate. The whole composition represents life and diversity- the basic principle of nature.

I am often in two minds over the view that we have of a tree stump; the remnants of a once living tree, and the refuse of nature. I am inclined to think that this is the wrong picture. Nature places only positive value on the things which are often considered by humans to be ruins" or refuse" Indeed, she knows of no negative value."

The Exhibition
- The idea: by Marcel Wouters, exhibitions architect -
The central ideas of the exhibition are the themes water and the earth. These themes are reflected in the structure of the exhibition.

Opposite a large, heavy, dark clod of earth, you find yourself in a spacious room with a glittering water form. Together, these forms represent the content of this exhibition. There are places where you can experiment and learn more about different species and our biosphere.

On the wall of the clod of earth, is a cross section of part of the reserve. Within this clod of earth is the "moor room where you can learn about the characteristics of different kinds of moors. At the corner of the exhibition room is an old talking oak tree, who explains about the habitats to be found in the wood.

Or you can simply jump on a bike in the exhibition room, and pedal, to discover what there is to see in the surrounding reserve.

On the top of the clod of earth, is the most important part of the exhibition. Here, you can learn about the use and abuse of the water and the earth.

You can also learn more about the area by climbing into a row boat in the exhibition, or by visiting our mini- cinema and viewing the wildlife here. A rock which was deposited here during the ice age, is also on display.

By the end of the exhibition, you will be astounded at how much wildlife there is in our reserve, and how rich the landscape and its history is. We hope we will have instilled some wonder...

Around Blumberger Mühle
The 14 hectare area surrounding the information centre is former contaminated site. The area contains the shortest circular route which you can take in Shorfheide-Chorin Nature Reserve. The route was created so that visitors can conveniently view the characteristic habitats to be found in the reserve, and learn how man influences the landscape. The 14 hectare area was therefore carefully structured , to provide as much information as possible about the different uses of the land and the impact of these uses on nature. The area immediately surrounding Blumberger Mühle is intensively work. The further away from the centre, the less intensive is the land worked.

The years have yet to show whether man"s impact on the land carries any visible consequences. We have established a destructive relationship with the land which we can not allow to develop. Here, you can experience how the landscape develops and alters.

We have sign-posted the path through the area, to particular interesting areas. Alternatively, you can make your own tour of the reserve- without any instruction, you will be able to see, hear and smell twice as much. And perhaps with a little bit of luck and patience, you"ll be able to meet our friends here- the kings of Blumberger Pond: the eagles, tracks of the beaver...

The history of the area
In the thirteenth century, a mill was worked here by the monks of Chorin Monastery. Food was scarce in the area, and so they dug out the ponds and bred carp. In 1707, a miller named Blumberger lived and worked here, and gave his name to the area. Until the end of the nineteenth century, a water mill existed here. Following its closure, the fishing industry developed and carp and tench were intensively fished here. At the end of the 1960"s, the pond area reached its current figure of 140 hectares.

Until 1989, the pond area was closed to the public, and used only for occasional hunting and farming. This peace, together with the rich nutrients in the area, increased by the fishing industry, means that there is now a huge diversity of plants and animals in the area. In 1993, NABU bought 218 hectares, thereby securing the long term safety of the area.

The Fishing Industry
Since 1990, the pond area at Blumberger Mühle has been extensively, rather than intensively fished. It has the status of a water bird protection area, and is therefore receives legal protection. The pond area is a model for sustainable land use. It is because of this type of land use that there is such a high diversity of birds in the area.

The balance between the interests of nature and necessary agriculture, requires an excellent exchange of communication between all groups involved. This has led to the development of partnership projects, and new agricultural methods which take the needs of nature into account.

The Wildlife
The 140 hectare pond area forms a mosaic of biotopes, such as open water areas, banks, marshes, scrublands, deciduous and coniferous woodlands. These provide diverse habitats and contribute to the wealth of animal and plant life to be found here.

The passive conservation of the islands and the ponds" edges, allows scrublands to develop which provide an ideal hunting ground for birds of prey.

The scrublands form a wind break and together with the reed beds, provide an ideal breeding ground for many water birds. The area also provides a haven for resting migratory birds. Rare and threatened species, such as the beaver and the otter, are also to be found here. The fish have introduced species of endangered plants from the River Oder. These plants have proliferated. Up till now, 423 plants, 195 bird species and 8 different kinds of amphibians have been recorded.

Uckermark
In terms of area, Uckermark is the largest Landkreis" (county) in Germany. It has 160,000 inhabitants.

Over half over the area in Uckermark is belongs to a land care" project and is organically farmed. The towns and villages have hardly altered in their original appearances. Angermünde, 2km from Blumberger Mühle, is currently lovingly restoring its historical centre; demolition is prohibited. The facade of the grocery stores and banks must fit the general style of the town. Three pairs of storks have settled in the town centre.

Nestled beside Lake Unterucker, is Prenzlau, Uckermark"s capital town. The reason that Prenzlau was made into the capital town is not difficult to see. The double towered church of Sankt Marien displays one of the most beautiful examples of gothic architecture in north Germany. The town of Templin, enclosed by a town wall, can also be found in this wooded and lake studded area. Six lakes enclose the town of Lychen, which in the middle ages, protected the town against attack. Schwedt, the only industrial town to be found in Uckermark, lies immediately by Unteres Odertal National Park.

Care of nature
The greatest treasure in Uckermark is its wildlife. Three huge wildlife protection" areas, define this stretch of land: the Unteres Odertal National Park, Schorfheide-Chorin Nature Reserve, and the lakeland area of north Uckermark. Their aim is to conserve and help to develop the wildlife in the area.

Unteres Odertal National Park is the youngest of the 12 National Parks in Germany. It contains many woodlands and meadows. It was established in a partnership between Germany and Poland. In the course of the next 15 years, 50% of the national parks in Germany will become reserves, thereby becoming self governing.

The lakeland of north Uckermark houses the towns of Prenzlau, Fürstenburg, Templin and Zehdenick. The 810 square kilometre area contains lakes, woodlands and moorland, which provide a huge range of habitats for many endangered species. The agriculture and tourist industries in the area are carefully controlled to preserve these habitats.

A positive perspective
With the break-up of the German Democratic Republic, and the dissolution of the old structure, the future perspective for the region appears rather gloomy. The departure of young people is very large, the villages are becoming scarcely populated and the unemployment level is over 20%.

This situation means that a new perspective must be sought, and a new path for regional development must be built. The establishment of the wildlife care areas was an important foundation for new development opportunities in the area. Uckermark therefore has a chance to become a model region for the establishment of a type of agriculture which takes the needs of nature into account.

The NABU Information Centre at Blumberger Mühle is a building stone in this concept, and will place many positive developments in the way.