Gregor is a geographer specialised in ecology and recultivation. As head of the Research Centre for Recultivation in Bergheim, he works on strategies for promoting biodiversity and the sustainable re-design of former open-cast mining sites. Through his work, he strengthens networks and promotes innovative concepts for a greener future.
Was there a particular moment or project that inspired you in your work with recultivation?
“I come from the Rhenish mining area and grew up with open-cast mining. My hometown, Kaster, was spared from mining, but it was right on the edge of an open-cast mine. My birthplace, Otzenrath, had to give way to open-cast mining, and many people, including myself, – had to relocate. Dust, noise, change: these were defining experiences.
But it was precisely this metamorphosis of the landscape that inspired me. What initially appears to be a massive intervention also offers an opportunity: the chance to create something new and sustainable. Kaster itself is an example of how recultivation can offer prospects for the future. I’ve seen landscapes transform before my eyes, becoming valuable new habitats. This has motivated me to actively shape this transformation. Fortunately, there are companies like RWE that seize these opportunities and drive them forward.”
What motivates you personally to work towards a sustainable recultivation of open-cast mines?
“Our work today will shape landscapes for the next 100 years and beyond. Future generations will experience what we plan and implement today. This long-term orientation is a huge responsibility, but also a great opportunity.
Recultivation means creating something new from a former open-cast mine. This design opportunity inspires me tremendously – there is only this one opportunity to do it right and sustainably now.
On top of that, I have a personal connection to nature: Already as a child, I was fascinated by animals and ecosystems. This passion is deeply rooted in me and drives me to actively contribute to the preservation and development of new habitats through my work.”
What are the biggest misconceptions about recultivation?
“A common misconception is the assumption that a recultivated landscape can never be as ecologically valuable as the original natural environment. But the opposite is often the case. While an open-cast mine undoubtedly represents a profound intervention, recultivation offers the opportunity to create high-quality biotopes that did not previously exist. Rare and endangered species find new habitats here that may no longer have existed in the pre-existing landscape.
Many people are unaware of these positive effects, and as a student, I was no different. However, the realisation that valuable ecosystems can be created through targeted measures motivates me to pass on this knowledge and to actively participate in the transformation of landscapes into sustainable environments.”
