6.25 m² of species-rich meadow near Weimar will be placed under protection

The nature reserve on the southern slope of the Ettersberg, north of Weimar, is a very special natural paradise. Covering 408 hectares and free of roads or above-ground supply lines, the area belongs entirely to nature. Over 500 plant species, including 36 protected or endangered species, numerous insect species and 90 bird species, including threatened species such as the great grey shrike, the red-backed shrike and the disturbance-sensitive barred warbler, are native here. The extensive brome semi-dry grasslands and gentian-iceberg grasslands came into being as a result of historical sheep grazing. Without the regular care provided by the four-legged animals, the area would become overgrown with bushes and forest. Sensitive plants such as the bee orchid and common centaury would disappear. They are also the basis for the diversity of insects, which in turn is a food reservoir for many of the bird species on the Ettersberg. The end of sheep grazing would have a direct impact on the overall biodiversity and, for example, would affect the number of birds living on the Ettersberg. The Ettersberg was used for military purposes until 1992 and was otherwise left to nature and the shepherd with his flock. After successfully clearing the ammunition, the previous owner, the Thuringian State Development Company, must now sell the nature reserve. The future of this natural paradise is therefore uncertain. With the purchase, the NABU Foundation guarantees the continuation of the much-needed sheep grazing and the preservation of this species-rich natural paradise.