Several thousand juvenile Atlantic sturgeon have been released into Poland’s Ina River, marking an important step forwards in the return of this iconic species across the Oder Delta. Their comeback is part of wider efforts to restore free-flowing rivers rich in fish and other wildlife — healthier, more resilient waterways that are essential for both nature and people.
Following several years of preparation, the Rewilding Oder Delta team are now taking the next step in marine rewilding. This summer, the first pilot seagrass meadows are being planted on Germany’s Baltic coast, testing an innovative approach that could help revive one of Europe’s most valuable underwater habitats.
The Oder Delta became Rewilding Europe’s eighth rewilding landscape in 2015. Over the last 10 years, trans-boundary rewilding efforts have restored natural processes and supported wildlife comeback here on a growing scale, offering hope of a brighter future for nature and people living in the landscape.
“Two countries and one Oder Delta”, a beautiful 16-minute documentary by Emmanuel Rondeau, tells the story of rewilding in the Oder Delta, which is shared between Germany and Poland. On March 22, at a well-attended event to celebrate World Rewilding Day in Goleniów, the premiere of the film inspired the audience.
In the Oder Delta, which straddles the German-Polish border, river and riparian restoration efforts are breathing new life into a giant watery ecosystem.
Healthy, free-flowing rivers governed by natural processes offer a wide range of benefits for wildlife and people. This autumn, the Oder Delta rewilding team and local partners carried out a range of measures to restore the Ina River – an important tributary of the Oder River.
The recovery of wild nature in the Oder Delta is supporting a growing number of economic opportunities. The launch of the Wild Oder Network in September saw people from across the delta come together to discuss ways of collaborating and developing nature-based business together.
A new rewilding centre has opened on the German side of the Oder Delta rewilding landscape. As nature continues to recover in the area, the multi-functional building will help to build engagement, develop nature-based tourism, and ultimately enhance rewilding impact.
