Volunteer couple ends nature tours: An era is coming to an end!

Volunteer couple ends nature tours: An era is coming to an end!

A special chapter in the Upper Lusatian Biosphere Reserve is coming to an end. The volunteer nature guide couple Kerstin (71) and Reinhard Robel (72) from Groß Särchen have announced that after many years of their passion for nature they are now drawing a line. Kerstin has been active since 1998 and Reinhard since 2008. Your tours have introduced numerous people to the beauty of the region and made them aware of the environment that is worthy of protection. Over the years, the couple imparted valuable knowledge about local flora and fauna and placed the different habitats at the center of their stories. They shaped the enthusiasm for nature of many participants, who willingly came to a total of 1,206 guided tours with 20,090 participants since 1998.

The Robels, who live in an area full of native trees, often find inspiration in the nature of Groß Särchen. “The trees are not only a habitat for small animals such as beetles and spiders, they also provide shade and slow the wind,” says Kerstin with passion. She particularly remembers an event in 2014 where they stopped at a hornbeam tree and shared their childhood memories. “A Sorbian farming couple lived near this beech tree, and as a child I learned a lot about nature from my grandmother,” Kerstin continued.

Commitment to nature

A strong foundation on which the nature guides of the Upper Lusatian Biosphere Reserve can build is the commitment of volunteers. EUROPARC Deutschland e.V. has set itself the goal of promoting civic engagement in protected areas. As part of the “A Matter of Honor for Nature – Volunteers in Parks” program, volunteers work together with full-time supervisors in nature conservation. This includes the care of orchards or the marking of hiking trails in order to strengthen understanding of ecosystems and the protection of flora and fauna. Numerous volunteer nature guides have been active in the biosphere reserve since 1998, with further training events being offered annually to continually expand knowledge and skills.

The offer appeals to people from all age groups and professions. The nature guides' special areas of expertise are diverse, from herbalism to ornithology. Kerstin Robel placed a particular focus on the herb garden and environmental education with children, while Reinhard focused on the fish.

Combining nature and education

Biosphere reserves in Germany are not only a place for nature conservation, they also promote sustainable economic forms and offer educational initiatives for sustainable development, with the focus on international cooperation. Volunteering plays an important role in this. The Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) has existed in Germany since 2011, offering all age groups the opportunity to contribute to the greater good outside of work and school. These missions are possible in both the social and ecological areas and thus offer a platform for sustainable change.

With the Robels, a piece of tradition is coming to an end, but their legacy will live on in the hearts of the many people they touched. Commitment to nature will continue to be of great importance in the future in order to preserve the wealth of nature.

In any case, there is enough to discover - and perhaps a new couple will soon be found who will take on the role of Robels and carry on the fascination of nature.