Breathe in deeply. What do you smell. It’s the scent of fresh grassland mixed with a hint of salty air. This is Westliches Hollerland. It is a unique nature reserve in Bremen.
Westliches Hollerland protects a vital part of Bremen’s natural heritage. It is a place of unique beauty and ecological significance. Today, we’ll explore its history and natural wonders.
Originally, Hollerland was a cultural landscape. Dutch settlers cultivated it in the 12th century. They drained the swampy lowlands around Bremen. These settlers were offered a contract by the archbishop Friedrich. They committed to make the land cultivatable. They had to pay one pfennig each year for each Hufe. A Hufe is a unit of measurement. It has a length of 720 and a width of 30 royal rods. They also had to pay tithes on the yield.
This area became known as Hollerland. The name comes from the Dutch settlers. In 1188, it was called Hollandria or Nova terra.
Centuries ago, the Goh Hollerland included areas like Horn-Lehe. It also included Oberneuland and parts of Borgfeld and Osterholz. Since the 1960s, extensive suburban development has reduced the original landscape. Now, only the nature reserve in Horn-Lehe is called Hollerland.
This nature reserve spans approximately 293 hectares. It lies between Kuhgrabenweg, Lehesterdeich, Hollergrund, and the A27 autobahn. In 1985, three-quarters of the western area became protected. An expansion followed in 1991.
The area has a drainage network of about 90 km. This network and the extensive wetlands create an important habitat. It is home to rare plants and animals. Hundreds of thousands of Krebsscheren live here. The area borders the Untere Wümme nature reserve to the north.
More than 40 endangered plant species grow here. The “Pannlake” is especially important. It is an inland salt area. Its source comes from the Lilienthal salt dome. Here, you will find strawberry clover and salt rush. Brackish water reeds and large populations of Salzteich and Strandsimse also thrive. These are usually found only in coastal areas.
Westliches Hollerland is a valuable breeding area for meadow birds. These include the curlew, snipe, lapwing, and redshank. It serves as an important resting area for migratory birds. The dense network of ditches, depressions, and small water bodies make it ideal for amphibians and insects.
So far, 26 species of dragonflies have been identified. The green mosaic dragonfly is very common. It has a symbiosis with the Krebsschere for reproduction. The ditches are home to fish species. These include the Moderlieschen, Steinbeißer, and Schlammpeitzger. They are endangered nationwide.
In the 1960s, there were plans to develop the Hollerland with 15,000 residential units for about 50,000 inhabitants. However, nature conservationists fought to preserve the area. In 1985, more than three-quarters of Westliches Hollerland were designated as a nature reserve.
In 2004, after more than 25 years of debate, the area became a protected area. It is under the protection of the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive. With 293 hectares, it is the third largest in Bremen.
As you leave Westliches Hollerland, remember its story. Dutch settlers shaped this land. Dedicated conservationists protected it. Today, it stands as a testament to the importance of preserving our natural heritage.