Each year, we pause business activities for a few days and spend time as a team simply having fun together for Sommerfest. It is a chance to relax and unwind, get to know each other better, and explore new surroundings as a team. This year, we decided to get out in nature, visiting two incredible sites – the Anklamer Stadtbruch landscape in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Oder Delta rewilding area.
After departing from Berlin, the team travelled by train to Ueckermünde, where we stayed at Haffhus, a beautiful resort located directly at the Stettin Lagoon. The day continued with plenty of team bonding time including a bike tour of the area, a floating learning centre raft tour on the Uecker river, a rather competitive game of bowling and of course, a chance to watch the European Championship semi-final between the Netherlands and England.
Tours of nature
Day two began with a hike in the Anklamer Stadtbruch, a wilderness located between the land and the sea. The approximately 2,000-hectare wilderness area is home to numerous rare species such as white-tailed eagle, otter and moor frog. The NABU Foundation National Natural Heritage is committed to the preservation of the Anklamer Stadtbruch and preserves a large part of the nature reserve in its care.
Continuing our partnership with Rewilding Europe, in the afternoon, we visited the Oder Delta landscape – 70,000 hectares surrounding the Stettin Lagoon and 380,000 hectares of forest and open landscape. In June last year, we began a project together with the Oder Delta team alongside the Natural Building Lab at TU Berlin to get creative together for the redesign of their new property which will serve as a local hub for rewilding. We were treated to an exhibition and presentations from TU Berlin students who have been working on case studies showing their ideas for development of the area which includes an old villa, an empty barn, and a large outdoor area which form a rewilding centre.
Team experiences and highlights
Wioletta: The floating learning centre on the Uecker river was one of the parts of the trip that I enjoyed the most. I like to learn new things and it was a perfect opportunity for us to learn about the biology and ecology of the river which is one of only 9% of the water bodies in Germany that is not contaminated anymore with any heavy metals and other typical contaminants resulting in a very rich diversity of fauna and flora. The guides explained the history of the river, about the plants and animals who live there and even showed us some signs proving the diversity of the ecosystem (like a shell that had been opened by an otter). We performed a measurement of the water quality by taking a sample of the river plankton which we examined under the microscope and with the help of the guides could identify some organisms. I learned a lot about the variety of organisms that live in the river and one day will do this again with my kids!
Vanessa: I thought it was great that we went on a little trip to the seaside as a team this time. The peace and quiet and the exercise in nature really did us good and we had some great moments like sunsets on the jetty or the boat trip. During our visit to Rewilding Oder Delta, I learnt a lot of new things and met nice people. I can’t say what my highlight was, I just loved the fact that we had a lot of time to learn and discover things together.
Andrew: The annual summer celebration was a fantastic trip; this year we went to join the Rewilding team in Ueckermünde. We learnt a great deal about the work they do and how efforts are being made to improve stretches of the river; for this part, we were taken on a river raft. We learnt about the freshwater mussels, otters and the general health of the river and the work involved in trying to revert it back to its natural condition. The trip wasn’t all about learning, though, I had a great time with the group, some good food, being by the sea and ten-pin bowling; it was great to socialise with colleagues outside of work having drinks on the jetty overlooking the Baltic sea.
Sudheep: I had a memorable visit to Anklamer Stadtbruch. Being amidst a village on a weekday, along with my colleagues, to witness the breathtaking scenery was a rare and cherished opportunity. We explored the landscape surrounded by wetlands and marshy lands along the hiking trails. The sight of cows grazing and flocks of birds soaring overhead added to the natural charm of the place. I was particularly excited to have my camera with me to capture these moments. The area is known to be a breeding ground for over 100 bird species, which made the experience even more fascinating. The weather did its best to discourage us with the rain indeed arriving during our hike. Despite the interruption, hiking and engaging in conversations with everyone was delightful.
Abigail: The case studies from the TU Berlin students were great. I personally enjoyed the concept for the nature viewing platforms, which are perfectly suited for overnight camping or taking in the surrounding nature, the most. I could envision myself spending a relaxing afternoon or evening there. They also provide ample opportunity for visitors to rest a moment while connecting with the Rewilding property.
