Battle for the ground geopath: Who will save our natural heritage at Mellensee?

Battle for the ground geopath: Who will save our natural heritage at Mellensee?

In the community of Am Mellensee, everything revolves around a special natural treasure – the soil geopath. The hiking and educational trail, which has been popular since 2008, attracts numerous visitors and offers fascinating insights into the geological history of the region. Unfortunately, the future maintenance of the path is in jeopardy, as is the case Maz Online reported.

GAG Klausdorf, which was previously responsible for the maintenance and care of the geopath, has stopped its work. The reason for this lies in the tense budget situation in the Teltow-Fläming district. Another application for 16,000 euros to maintain the path was submitted for 2025, which was approved. Nevertheless, district treasurer Johannes Ferdinand emphasizes that only absolutely necessary expenses will be approved. This restriction means that the path now relies on volunteer support, as storm damage to hiking trails has already been repaired by committed villagers.

An important cultural heritage

The importance of the ground geopath is undisputed. It is not only a leisure activity, but also an educational facility that plays an important role for both schools and families. Striking information about the soils and their influence on agriculture, nature and climate can be found along the path, which functions as a living open-air museum. The Community of Am Mellensee has set itself the goal of securing the geopath in the long term and maintaining its use for nature enthusiasts and tourists.

The path is located in the “Luckenwalder Heide – Baruther Urstomtal” landscape protection area and extends over 30,000 hectares. The outstanding geological locations include the Sperenberg gypsum quarries, which are known not only for their beauty but also for their extraordinary geological diversity. Gypsum deposits have been mined here over the centuries - a tradition that dates back to the 12th century.

A look into the future

The uncertain future of the ground geopath is strongly related to the county's current financial situation. Failure to maintain the area could lead to weathering and impassability of the paths. A situation that would endanger both nature and the educational opportunities of future generations. The Soil Geopath website provides further information and supports awareness of the importance of soil protection.

For those volunteers who are already involved, the community offers employment contracts that guarantee extensive insurance coverage. This ensures that the helpers can continue to work safely and carefree in the future. The commitment of everyone involved is required to preserve the geopath as a valuable heritage before it is soon forgotten.

A highlight in the region is also coming up: Sperenberg is planning to celebrate his 530th birthday at the end of August. This could be a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ground geopath and draw attention to the need for its maintenance.