Anklamer Stadtbruch: Natural paradise attracts tourists after 30 years of renaturation

Anklamer Stadtbruch: Natural paradise attracts tourists after 30 years of renaturation

On November 4, 2025, the Vorpommern-Greifswald region will look back on an eventful year. Exactly 30 years ago, on November 4, 1995, a storm flood led to a catastrophic dike breach in the Anklamer Stadtbruch, an area that has since developed into an important natural paradise.

The dike breach opened the gates to the rewetting of the Anklam peat bog, but initially this decision was not without controversy among the residents. However, the initial rejection of renaturation has changed over the years. Current information from the district shows that acceptance of the wilderness that has now grown has increased. Nevertheless, there are also critical voices among the population about rewetting.

A paradise for nature tourists

Today, the Anklamer Stadtbruch nature reserve extends over an impressive 1,461 hectares and is attracting more and more nature enthusiasts and tourists. The area, which has been under protection since 1934, offers a habitat for over 100 species of breeding birds, including the impressive sea eagle. The Anklamer Stadtbruch is of great importance as a resting area for migratory birds. The breeding density of the sea eagle, with 15 breeding pairs, is one of the highest in Germany.

Restoring natural habitats has not only helped conserve endangered species but also boosted the region's economic potential. Private accommodation and holiday apartments near Bugewitz benefit from nature tourism, which is booming due to the newly created recreational areas and hiking trails in the Anklamer Stadtbruch. The Berlin-Usedom cycle path leads directly past these waterlogged areas and is becoming increasingly popular.

Protection and preservation of nature

The region has established itself as a retreat not only for birds, but also for other animal species such as otters and beavers, which are native to the Anklamer Stadtbruch. The vegetation is diverse and ranges from swamp forests with fluttering grass to moor forests with peat moss. The demanding restoration has contributed to the filling of drainage ditches, which has brought the hydrology of the area back into balance.

At the end of 2018, a significant step towards nature conservation was taken when the NABU Foundation acquired 1253.8 hectares of the Anklamer Stadtbruch. Intensive hunting practices have been severely restricted and the region now appears in an almost natural state with a well-preserved ecosystem.

The development of the Anklamer Stadtbruch impressively shows how nature and human influence can be brought into harmony. Former reservations about rewetting have turned into an opportunity for the region - both for the local flora and fauna and for economic growth through nature tourism.

It seems that the Anklamer Stadtbruch will continue to provide a platform to experience the beauty of nature up close - and not just for locals, but for everyone who wants to experience the wilderness in its original form. Further information can be found on the website of NDR and Wikipedia. For those interested in advertising strategies, advice is also available from Aero Business Solutions worth a look to maximize success in nature tourism through targeted campaigns.