About us
The German Youth Organization for Nature Studies (DJN) is a federation of youths between 12 and 25 years. Learning about nature and the protection of it are our main topics. Next to regular excursions our programme includes seminars about critical lifestyle or politics. Our motto: learning from each other and experience together!
You want to join us? Then have a look at our programme. We are looking forward to meet you!
Events
Nesting box action December 5th-7th 2008
Nesting boxes have become a common instrument for the protection of species equally in parks, gardens or the forest.
But what is that “cuboid with hole” all about?
The nesting boxes in the part of a forest near Neumünster will be cleaned by the DJN determining at the same time what kind of birds have been living in the boxes throughout summer time. Next to bird’s nests of several species that can be identified with the aid of determination charts there are often plenty of other groups of animals such as bats and other small-sized mammals.
Moreover the most important nesting boxes will be explained on the basis of lectures and an understanding of the basics of reasonable protection of species will be given.
During the 20 years of its work the DJN has observed that specific forest near Neumünster developing from an intensely used forest to naturally deciduous woodland. The natural settlement of species such as the rare Tengmalm’s Owl in Schleswig-Holstein is an indicator of this process.
Please contact us if you’re interested
Person in charge:
Nicole Koppitz
04321/52160
nicki-koppitz@gmx.de
Water bird counting in Flensburg
This year the DJN starts a new project: We take over the bird counting route at the beautiful fjord of Flensburg.
Meeting one Sunday per month we ride our bicycles along the counting track using binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides to determine the species.
You are always welcome to join us. For participation no previous knowledge is required. If you enjoy being outside in nature, watching birds and, of course, cycling we look forward to meet you on the following
dates:
September 20th ; 3 p.m.
(October 18th)
November 15th ; 1 p.m.
December 13th ; 1 p.m.
January 17th-18th (International Counting)
February 14th 2009
March 14th 2009
Feel free to contact us for further information:
Person in charge:
Ole Gröne
04603/1665
oez-punk@gmx.net
Seminar on Great Bustard in Brandenburg April 2008 (definite date is still to be found)
“Ostrich of the Pommernland“ is the old name for a bird almost having fallen into oblivion nowadays.
The great bustard is one of the most beautiful but at the same time of the rarest species of birds of Central Europe. Being major than an erne and heavier than a crane the Great Bustard is the Goliath among the local species of birds.
Previously widely spread this specie has been displaced into the last big extensively used swathes of land during the last century due to the increasing industrialization of the landscape. Nowadays only 120 of these beautiful birds live within Germany
During this year’s weekend excursion, that involves local environmentalists, the DJN will visit the Great Bustard protective project in the Havelländischen Lunch and observe the spectacular courtship of these animals.
The seminar will aim to provide an intensive insight in the way of living of this specie of birds as well as in the (worldwide) problems this bird has to face.
Contact for further information and application
Philipp Meinecke,
0551/2760740
Mobil: 0176/62508155
philipp.meinecke@gmx.de
“Naturerlebnistage Katiner Watt” 3rd and 4th May 2009
Where the small river Eider flows into the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein, a singular landscape has been preserved. It is well-known for its wide lawns, interspersed with ditches and cattle watering tanks, that shelters the biggest breeding population of the very rare Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) in whole Germany. Marsh areas and reed beds, salt marshes and wadden areas of the North Sea build a varied mosaic of important natural landscapes around the Eider.
In the middle of that area the Katinger Watt is located – today one of the most important protective areas for birds at the coast of the Wadden Sea in Schleswig-Holstein. Among many Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax), Spotted Redshanks (Tringa erythropus), different Charadriidae, ducks and terns passing through, the area also offers shelter for some ornithologic rarity. For example you can watch single exemplars of the very rare Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) during the first weeks of May. Besides breeding birds like Fish Eagle, Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica), Lapwings and Black Tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) you can find during May a large number of Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) in the area.
Once every year the Naturschutzbund Deutschland organises a trade fair with the motto “experience nature” at the edge of the area. Besides various organizations for nature conservation also artists like the well-known bird painter Christopher Schmidt present their work.
The DJN is going to take part at the event, selling classification literature and being in charge of an information desk. Besides informing people about our work there will be time enough to look around the trade fair and the area.
Infos and application
Christian Koppitz
Över de Heid 6a, 24784 Westerrönfeld
Tel: 04331/9458034
C.Koppitz@gmx.net
Orchid Seminar May 2009
The area Breisgau around Freiburg is known for its warm climate. Nowhere else in Germany the thermometer is showing such as high temperatures as in this region. This is the basis for a very special flora and fauna, a lot of species of the Breisgau can only be found many kilometres south around the Mediterranean Sea. Around 40 different species of orchids live in the protected area Feldberg, in the centre of the Kaiserstuhl!
At the seminar we will learn about the ecology of orchids and to classify different species. The problematic of orchids in cultural landscape is also a topic. Next to botanical excursions we’ll get to know other specialities of the Kaiserstuhl: Besides Green Lizard, Hoopoe and other Mediterranean species we will visit a breeding wall, where the European Bee-eater is living.
Infos and application
Paul Roggon
Nellebachstraße 18, 88662 Überlingen
luapnoggor@googlemail.com
