Partner Introduction 🇩🇪

LIFE Cricetus is an international collaboration bringing together organisations from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany to restore the European hamster on a larger, cross-border scale.

Today, we would like to introduce one of our German partners: the Biological Station Rhein-Kreis Neuss.

Founded in 2001 and located on the grounds of Kloster Knechtsteden in Dormagen, the Biological Station is dedicated to the conservation and development of valuable natural areas within the district. Their work ranges from landscape monitoring and habitat management to environmental education programmes. Alongside maintaining traditional orchards and a small herd of white-horned heath sheep, the station plays a crucial role in the protection of the European hamster population in Rommerskirchen-Butzheim.

Each year, volunteers support the team in monitoring and release activities. From March to October, the hamster working group is present in the fields almost weekly. With the support of the EU LIFE Cricetus project, they are now able to further expand these efforts and strengthen long-term conservation measures.

The final photo shows the long-standing managing director and valued colleague of the Biological Station, Michael Stevens, during the release of a hamster. Michael sadly passed away in October last year. The hamster project was very close to his heart. He played a key role in establishing it at the station and devoted countless hours, both professionally and personally, to its success.

His dedication continues to inspire the work carried forward today.