A symphony of bird calls greets you. Welcome to the Kopflache am Friesenheimer Altrhein. This isn’t just any riverside spot. This is a 21-hectare haven of nature. It’s nestled in Mannheim’s northwest. It runs along the Rhine’s eastern bank. It’s northeast of the Mannheim harbor’s old Rhine. This area is part of the Upper Rhine Lowland’s northern section.
The Kopflache am Friesenheimer Altrhein is much more than just pretty scenery. It’s a vital part of a larger biotope network. The neighboring Ballauf-Wilhelmswörth nature reserve is right next door. Imagine this: two distinct areas within the reserve. A lower wetland. Think lush floodplain forests. Think dense reeds. Think sedge beds. This lower area is regularly flooded. It provides a home for amazing creatures. The reed warbler thrives here. Various dragonflies flit about. Wading birds make their home here.
Now picture the northeastern section. It’s a different story. This area was once a landfill. Now it’s covered with ruderal vegetation. It offers crucial nourishment to butterflies and birds. It’s a testament to nature’s resilience. The Kopflache am Friesenheimer Altrhein was declared a protected area in 1988. This wasn’t a snap decision. The Aktionsgemeinschaft Natur und Umweltschutz Baden-Württemberg e V was instrumental. BUND members Jürgen Herrmann and Peter Friedrich played key roles. They initiated the application way back in October 1980. Their vision was clear. They wanted to safeguard this natural landscape. They wanted to protect this precious area. This was vital. This was in close proximity to a heavily used cultural landscape.
So here we are. The Kopflache am Friesenheimer Altrhein. A place where nature flourishes. A reminder of the power of conservation. A testament to the dedication of those who fought to protect it. A place where history and nature intertwine. A place to remember. A place to cherish. A place to revisit.