The project

The Natur- und Umweltschutzvereinigung Dümmer e. V. (Nature and Environmental Protection Association Dümmer) is dedicated to conserving the natural habitats around Lake Dümmer in northern Germany. Since 2010 it has focused on the protection of meadow birds, habitat restoration, predator control and the regeneration of reed beds along the lake. Through projects in species and habitat protection, ecological monitoring, environmental education, and independent field research, the NUVD is dedicated to preserving and developing these unique habitats.

Within the LIFE project Godwit Flyway …

• … we manage and maintain insect and invertebrate traps in wetland and agricultural areas on a weekly basis to assess food availability for the target species. This work is carried out in cooperation with the University of Groningen, which analyses and interprets the collected data.
• … we control mammalian predators in order to achieve sustainable reproduction rates of meadow birds and other ground nesting birds at the Dümmer and the Unterelbe. In addition, we control the number of invasive nutrias, because this species damages weirs and dams that are crucial for controlled rewetting as well as flood protection, and it destroys reeds, floating leaf and pond vegetation.
• … we study the habitat use and prey of raptors by field surveys and raptor nest cameras. After mammalian predator control became effective, raptors took over the role as the main predators of meadow bird chicks.