Döberitzer Heide, Nature reserve in Brandenburg, Germany.
Döberitzer Heide is a nature reserve in Brandenburg covering about 5000 hectares of heathland, wetlands, and forests on sandy soil. The nutrient-poor ground supports plant communities specially adapted to these harsh conditions.
The land served as a military training ground from 1713 to 1991, first under Friedrich Wilhelm I and later as a Red Army base. After the Cold War ended, it was transformed into a nature reserve.
The Heinz Sielmann Foundation oversees conservation efforts and offers educational programs that help visitors understand the local ecosystems. The open heathland shapes how people experience and connect with the natural landscape here.
Visitors can walk about 55 kilometers of marked trails, but must stay on designated paths because unexploded military materials remain in the ground. Sturdy footwear and attention to warnings help ensure a safe visit.
The reserve holds a herd of Przewalski's horses, European bison, and red deer within a triple-fenced core zone. These large herbivores shape the landscape and demonstrate how active management supports wildlife recovery.
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