NSG Mengeder Heide

What secrets does a former landfill hold? Here at the NSG Mengeder Heide in Dortmund, we uncover a story of transformation. The NSG Mengeder Heide, established in 1986, isn’t your typical nature reserve. It sits southeast of the A2 and A45 interchange, bordered by the Emscher river in the south. This 15.35-hectare sanctuary has a past as a landfill. Traces of this history are still visible in the northern section, where the land struggles to conceal its former use. The landscape of the NSG Mengeder Heide has been shaped by human activity. In the 1930s, sand was excavated here for the construction of the A2 motorway, leaving behind a scarred terrain of depressions and pits. World War II bombings further altered the area, creating swampy hollows and small ponds. The NSG Mengeder Heide today is a mosaic of different habitats. Patches of oak, alder, birch, and poplar forests intertwine, alongside remnants of the former landfill and a dense, almost impenetrable, thicket of blackberry bushes. This diverse landscape is a haven for a surprising array of wildlife. Over 50 bird species, including woodpeckers, tawny owls, and nightingales, call this place home, with more than 30 species breeding here. Even the endangered common frog finds refuge within this unique ecosystem. Interestingly, the removal of non-native poplar trees has led to a decline in certain bird populations, such as the lesser spotted woodpecker and the golden oriole, which preferred to nest in these trees. The NSG Mengeder Heide, hemmed in by motorways, the Emscher river, and a settlement, stands as an isolated island of biodiversity. Its story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge from a discarded landscape. The NSG Mengeder Heide reminds us that nature has a remarkable ability to reclaim and transform even the most unlikely places.