ORF-E
German, English
1 x 45 min, 1 x 52 min

For centuries, the Alpine Rhine Valley at the heart of Europe has been shaped and reshaped by humans in an effort to adapt the land to their needs. Today, people are rethinking the approaches of the past. Along its 90-kilometre-long course, the Alpine Rhine forms a natural limit, before it reaches Lake Constance at the Rhine Delta – a haven for birds. This documentary celebrates the beauty of this border region between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria, in which nature is pushing boundaries imposed on it by humans over centuries, in captivating images. A number of endangered animals including midwife toads, common terns, sand lizards and rare butterflies all benefit from targeted protective measures designed to secure the remaining natural areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley. Conservation efforts focus on the extensive meadow habitats in the valley bottom. Ground-nesting birds like lapwings and curlews struggle with modern-day agricultural practices and depend on targeted measures that protect their nests and offspring. At the same time, beavers have returned to the region and strive. Their habits of damming rivers and felling trees help in rewilding habitats. The attempts to undo some of the mistakes of the past and to give the Rhine, the surrounding habitats and their inhabitants space to grow and thrive may provide important lessons for other regions around the world – as the Alpine Rhine Valley demonstrates that many small steps can make a big difference.