Os nature reserve

The Os nature reserve is a fascinating relic from the last ice age, formed by the power of glaciers. At the heart of the nature reserve lies an original dam, known as Os, which is around 500 meters long and 9 meters high. This was formed by the deposits of a melting glacier and was used 120 years ago as building material for a neighboring railroad embankment. Despite its modest size of only 30 hectares, the Os nature reserve is an important refuge for numerous plants and animals that have become rare in the modern agricultural landscape. The vegetation consists of rare plants that are adapted to nutrient-poor conditions, including the broom heath, which gave the Os its name "Heidberg". The dry grasslands and heathland are home to special insect species such as the spotted dragonfly and the rare swallowtail. To preserve the biodiversity, the area is grazed by a flock of migratory sheep and the woodland is regularly reduced. The lowland areas are grazed by cattle or used as meadows. The Os nature reserve is maintained by the Süderbrarup Nature Conservation Association. A visit to this unique place offers an insight into the fascinating history and diversity of nature.