Reviving wetlands in Erzgebirge

Wetlands are important natural water reservoirs, helping reduce flooding during heavy rainfall, and they also act as valuable climate protectors. On top of that, they’re unique habitats for many rare animal and plant species. In the past, however, many wetlands in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) were heavily drained—either to extract peat as fuel or to make the wet areas easier to farm and manage. Once their importance became clear, wetland restoration work began in the region more than 25 years ago. One of these projects is the “Moor am Salzflüsschen”. Between 2005 and 2009, drainage ditches were filled in and water-retention structures were installed. After almost 20 years, the measures were evaluated and some improvements and repair work were identified. As part of the current project, the first on-site tasks are already being carried out, including: Cutting back shrubs and small trees around the retention structures; Deepening selected ditches so that stored water can seep back into the peat more effectively; Covering the water-retention structures to protect the installed wood and prevent it from rotting.

You’ll be staying at the stunning Gruppenhaus Holzhau — and it’s all yours. The guesthouse has 8 cozy double rooms, each with its own private en-suite bathroom (shower + WC), so everyone gets comfort and privacy. As the accommodation is quite comfortable we have to charge 50€ extra fee for this. Outside, the fun continues: a big outdoor hangout area with a table tennis table, volleyball court, and a BBQ + campfire spot for late-night vibes — plus plenty more to discover. You cook together. Money for shopping will be provided. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any intolerances when registering.

Right on the grounds of Gruppenhaus Holzhau, you can keep things fun and active—play a quick match on the volleyball court or challenge your friends at the table tennis tables. There’s also a campfire spot, perfect for chilled evenings, snacks, and late-night hangouts. If you’re up for exploring, great nearby trips include Blockhausen (near Mulda) and the Bergbaumuseum Altenberg in Altenberg. And when you’re craving bigger-city vibes, Freiberg is easy to reach—while Chemnitz and Dresden are awesome options for a weekend trip. For a bigger adventure, Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden also work great as weekend getaways.