Panzbruch grazing project

In the "Panzbruch" grazing project, nature conservation takes place through use. Endangered bird and plant species prefer the open, damp marsh meadows as their habitat, and their preservation is permanently ensured by the project.

To protect endangered flora and fauna in a valuable raised bog, the Panzbruch wetland was designated a nature reserve in 1983. The 33-hectare area lies within a highly valuable ecological region between Federal Highway 268 and County Road 139, which leads to the village of Greimerath. Because the predominantly wet meadows had become unprofitable for agriculture, increasing encroachment by shrubs threatened to destroy the habitat for numerous rare animals and plants that prefer open, wet locations.

Not only plants and animals find an ideal habitat in the Panzbruch nature reserve, but people also appreciate this refuge with its high biodiversity. The area can be explored by interested nature lovers via hiking trails – the "Greimerather Höhenweg" premium loop trail is particularly noteworthy – and various information panels.

Since summer 2013, Taurus cattle have been grazing for nature conservation. These extremely robust cattle breeds, which remain outdoors year-round, are intended to graze on trees and shrubs, especially in winter when grass is scarce, thus keeping them small and preventing them from becoming overgrown. This helps preserve the extensive wet and marshy meadows that have been abandoned by agriculture.