Kenner Flur

Can industry and nature coexist? Here at the Kenner Flur, a nature reserve in Trier, the answer is a resounding yes. The Kenner Flur lies nestled in a Moselle River loop, northeast of Trier. It’s a unique place where the extraction of gravel has inadvertently created a haven for wildlife. Human settlement is impossible here due to flooding. But this makes Kenner Flur even more special for its avian and amphibian residents. The Kenner Flur wouldn’t exist as it does without the gravel extraction by the Eiden company. The gravel, buried beneath layers of loam and the water table, is a valuable resource. As the gravel is removed, the pits fill with groundwater, creating a chain of lakes. This man-made landscape has become a sanctuary, mimicking the natural river habitats lost to the Moselle’s canalization. The steep banks of the newer lakes are a perfect nesting ground for bank swallows. Older lakes, softened by erosion, teem with dense vegetation. Algal mats cover the surfaces, creating an idyllic scene. But there’s a hidden danger. Stagnant water can lead to oxygen depletion and ecological collapse. To prevent this, the plan is to connect the lakes as gravel extraction continues. At the Kenner Flur, even puddles play a vital role. A population of natterjack toads, displaced from Tarforst, now thrives here. These toads aren’t picky. A large puddle next to the road between the gravel pit and the processing plant, coupled with a mound of freshly excavated earth, is paradise for them. Wild boar also roam the Kenner Flur, leaving their tracks as evidence. But birds are the true stars here. Protected species like the kingfisher, the orphean warbler, and the penduline tit call this place home. Rare migratory birds like the bean goose use the area as a resting place, undisturbed by the ever-present gravel excavators. So, next time you see a gravel excavator, remember the story of the Kenner Flur in Trier. It’s a testament to the surprising ways in which human activity can shape, and even create, vital natural habitats.