Group from the Swabian Alb traveling to the Rhön for knowledge exchange and natural exploration
In a two-day visit, a delegation from the Biosphere Region Swabian Alb explored the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, focusing on community-based conservation, sustainable practices, and collaborative management.
The journey began with a hike on the award-winning family hiking trail "Hexenpfad" above Fischbach, offering breathtaking views of the Thuringian part of the Biosphere Reserve.
Among the guests was Michael Donth, MP and chairman of the parliamentary circle "Biosphere Reserves" in the German Bundestag, who expressed his interest in the visit. Torsten Raab, head of the Hessian administrative office of the Biosphere Reserve Rhön, welcomed the delegation and emphasised the importance of such encounters in the UNESCO program 'Man and the Biosphere'.
The Red Moor, a unique moor landscape teeming with animal and plant life, was a particular highlight. The NABU house at the Red Moor served as the starting point and information center, providing insights into the protective measures in place to preserve this precious ecosystem.
Approximately 40 members of the local supporting association, Biosphere Region Swabian Alb e.V., were part of the visit, along with Thomas Keck, mayor of the city of Reutlingen, and Achim Nagel, head of the business office of Biosphere Region Swabian Alb.
The visit also included presentations on the regional marketing of the "Biosphere Cattle" as a model for sustainable agriculture, the diverse opportunities to actively involve children and young people in nature and climate protection, and projects in the field of education for sustainable development, including Biosphere Schools and Kindergartens.
Stefan Hohmann, first chairman of the Rhön Biosphere Cattle Association, led a visit to the association, explaining how extensive grazing maintains a species-rich cultural landscape. The Wasserkuppe, a tourist highlight and hotspot of species diversity in open land, was also presented.
The Rhön, with its example of lived cooperation and community-based nature conservation across borders, offers a valuable model for the Biosphere Region Swabian Alb. Such exchanges between biosphere reserves typically focus on sharing best practices for collaborative management, enhancing community involvement in conservation, and promoting sustainable local development.
While specific details from this particular exchange visit are not widely available, it is clear that the visit has contributed to strengthening networks and sharing successful approaches for the protection and development of model regions. For more detailed or updated information, it is recommended to consult the official websites or contact points of Biosphere Region Swabian Alb and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön.
The delegation from the Biosphere Region Swabian Alb, intrigued by the Rhön's sustainable lifestyle and community-based conservation efforts, delved deeper into home-and-garden strategies during their visit, seeking insights into preserving precious ecosystems like the Red Moor. Following their trip, educational and self-development programs emerged as key areas of potential collaboration between the two biosphere reserves.
