THE HIDDEN NATURE OF MILITARY GROUNDS | BIGGEST MOORLAND IN NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary offers a surprising look into the Senne region, a vast moorland in North Rhine-Westphalia that, despite its ecological significance, remains largely unknown to the public. Directed by Heike Grebe, the film reveals how this area, which has served as a military training ground for over 130 years, has become an unexpected haven for diverse wildlife. Far from being a detriment, the military's presence, including the use of Leopard tanks and target practice by British troops, has inadvertently protected the Senne from civilian intrusion. This isolation allows rare species of insects, birds, amphibians, and lizards to thrive, with fallow deer herds roaming freely. The film highlights the unique symbiosis between military activity and nature conservation, showing how tank tracks create puddles for endangered natterjack toads and how the heavy vehicles maintain open sandy areas crucial for specific insect populations. "The Hidden Nature Of Military Grounds" provides a rare glimpse into a world typically off-limits, demonstrating that military exercise grounds can indeed serve as vital refuges in our increasingly developed landscapes, creating a natural paradise within the tracks of the Leopards.