On 7 February 2026, the Danube-wide Volunteer Day initiated by DANUBEPARKS was successfully carried out in the territory of the Neuburg–Ingolstadt Danube Forest Working Group. This coordinated action formed part of the newly launched Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, a transnational effort dedicated to preserving and restoring valuable riverine habitats along the Danube. The initiative is supported by funding from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, underlining the strong institutional commitment to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in Germany and across the Danube region.
During the Volunteer Day, participants gathered at the site known as “Fischerholzbrenne,” a former gravel area shaped by the dynamic processes of the Danube River. The term “Brenne” in German (and “Heißlände” in Austrian) refers to dry, open gravel habitats that once formed naturally along large rivers but have become increasingly rare due to river regulation and land-use changes. Over time, this particular site had become overgrown with dense vegetation, leading to the gradual loss of its characteristic open habitat structure.
Through dedicated manual work, volunteers cleared shrubs and encroaching vegetation to restore the site’s original open and sun-exposed conditions. Such restoration measures are essential for the conservation of specialised and often threatened species that depend on nutrient-poor, dry gravel habitats. By reopening the area, the team created improved living conditions for rare pioneer plants and thermophilic butterfly species that rely on these warm, light-filled environments.
The action not only contributed directly to habitat restoration but also strengthened local engagement in nature conservation. By working together in the field, volunteers gained practical insight into riverine ecosystem management and the ecological importance of dynamic floodplain landscapes along the Danube. The event demonstrated how collaborative, hands-on conservation activities can make a meaningful contribution to protecting biodiversity while fostering a shared sense of responsibility for Europe’s natural heritage.