We seek to enhance the ecological status of the Tidal Elbe, to preserve the natural diversity, and to strengthen the unique habitats of the river landscape. For this purpose, we make banks and forelands more natural, enhance the ecological structure of the Elbe and its tributaries and promote the development of a more natural tidal systeme.
We finance and implement our own actions and also promote external projects. We engage in educational work, information activities and public relations for the Elbe habitat. In order to achieve our objectives, we also acquire sites where we can implement measures.
Examples of our projects
Examples of our projects are presented below. If you wish to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A vital momentum for the Luhe (Lower Saxony)
The tidal Luhe lowlands have been a nature reserve since 2014. Their ecological condition, however, was deficient: The Luhe was strongly straightened, trained and partly fortified.
We aimed to promote the natural diversity and river dynamics of the Luhe landscape. For this purpose, we renaturated the river over a length of about 770 m. Two meanders and 8 marshy ponds were built. Moreover, tidal creeks and tidal flats were newly developed. Deadwood and gravel were installed as structures for fish and microorganisms. Stone fixations were removed, where possible. Remains of the current river course were preserved as backwaters, which ensure rapid water discharge at high water levels.
Photos of the project area:
Development of tidal habitats on the Wrauster Bogen (Hamburg)
Between 2014 and 2020, we upgraded the Elbe foreshore area at Wrauster Bogen in Hamburg.
An existing, silted-up tideway was reactivated and a fish trap removed. Another new tideway was created as a site for the endemic Elbe water dropwort (Oenanthe conioides). This endangered species can be viewed here in the summer months when it is in bloom. We also lowered the bank of the Elbe to better connect the alluvial forest there with the tidal Elbe.
Photos of the project area:
A mosaic for animals and plants (Schleswig-Holstein)
In 2024, we created tidal and floodplain biotopes on the Wedeler Au, a tributary of the Tidal Elbe.
We created tideways and ponds, flattened banks and planted willows in an area covering about 5 hectares. In this way, we increased the tidal influence in the marsh and developed habitats for reedbed breeders, fish, amphibians, dragonflies and other insects.
Photos of the project area:
Hamburg, deine Flussnatur (Hamburg)
With the large-scale nature conservation project "Hamburg, deine Flussnatur" ("Hamburg, your river nature"), we want to strengthen the biotope network that runs right through the city centre of Hamburg. To this end, we want to ecologically upgrade a number of Hamburg's waterways. The ten-year implementation phase is scheduled to begin in 2025 following the completion of the three-year conceptualisation phase.
The project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
The project area:
In favour of more natural banks − dismantling revetments (Hamburg)
The hard bank fixation shapes large parts of the Tidal Elbe, considerably restricting natural shore dynamics. This prevents the natural zonation of the riparian vegetation and, for instance, the development of pioneer sites, which are typical of tidal rivers.
In a bid to make the banks more natural, the Elbe Habitat Foundation dismantles bank reinforcements, wherever coastal protection is not impeded.
For example, the Foundation has dismantled a 250 m stretch of the stony revetment of the Elbe island Kaltehofe, located at Hamburg Port. The Foundation has also lowered the revetments at various places near Juelssand, Schweenssand, Bunthäuser Spitze, Altengammer Elbwiesen and on the Elbe island Rhinplate. Under tidal influence, the banks are now able to develop more naturally along these stretches.
Photos of the project area:
We are continuously developing new projects to support the protection and preservation of Tidal Elbe habitat.
Last amended: November 2024
