Vandalism at Lake Bockwitz - nature trail badly damaged

The nature trail at Lake Bockwitz has become a victim of vandalism. A large number of the information boards have been covered in graffiti and made largely illegible, according to the Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt. The boards are now to be cleaned and secured with anti-graffiti film. The Landesstiftung has called for donations. According to an initial estimate, the damage amounts to several thousand euros.

Lake Bockwitz has become a popular excursion destination

"In recent years, Lake Bockwitz has developed into both a popular excursion destination and a nature reserve. This is largely thanks to the new nature trail, which is over thirteen kilometers long," it said. The trail was inaugurated in September 2025.

"Our nature reserve in Bockwitz is a place we are proud of. We are restoring the nature trail and at the same time making it fit for the future," emphasized Foundation Director Robert Clemen.

Natural paradise for many animal and plant species

More than three decades ago, the site was still part of the Borna-Ost/Bockwitz open-cast lignite mine. After its closure, the landscape was declared a nature reserve and left to develop naturally. According to the foundation, a wide variety of biotope types were able to develop in Bockwitz. Today, they are a habitat for numerous animal and plant species. Over 180 bird species live here.
About a third of the area of the nature reserve consists of bodies of water.