Swatzke- und Skabyberge

Swatzke- und Skabyberge is a nature reserve in the Oder-Spree district covering 520 hectares of protected land. The landscape features sand heaths, dry grasslands, and natural pine forests with elevations reaching up to 51 meters above sea level.

The area gained protection under Brandenburg's Nature Conservation Act in 1992 and received its official designation as a protected area in November 1999. This designation marked a significant step in safeguarding the region's valuable ecosystems and rare species from future development.

The reserve is part of the broader European Natura 2000 network, reflecting Brandenburg's role in protecting natural spaces across international borders. The site demonstrates how communities value and safeguard habitats for species that depend on these specific conditions to survive.

The site is open to visitors but certain activities remain restricted to preserve the ecological balance of the protected area. Detailed maps and current regulations are available from the Ministry for Environment in Potsdam to help plan your visit.

A 155-hectare core zone within the reserve completely prohibits economic activities and protects rare species including the Greater Mouse-eared Bat. This strictly protected area safeguards sensitive inland dunes and transitional moors that are critical to the survival of this bat species.