Training in the Wadden Sea - Waterworks apprentices learn coastal protection in East Friesland
Apprentices in water management from all over Germany come to East Frisia every summer to learn about coastal protection. On average, around 40 future water managers, mainly from North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, spend two practical weeks each at the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation at the operational site in Hilgenriedersiel, Aurich district. This is according to the operational site manager, Carina de Vries.
Currently, a 15-strong group of apprentices from the Bavarian water management sector is visiting their East Frisian colleagues. Some of the trainees are seeing the North Sea for the first time.
The young water managers have different tasks at the coast than in inland areas: they have to reinforce so-called 'lahns' in the tidal flats in front of the dikes. These 'lahns' help to dampen wave impact. Working on the soft tidal flat soil is physically demanding, and most tasks have to be done manually.
On the East Frisian Islands, the apprentices learn from experienced East Frisian coastal protectors how to plant beach grass and set up sand catch fences to secure dunes for coastal protection.
The nature in East Frisia offers unique environments that apprentices need to understand for effective coastal protection. The tidal flats and dunes are vital habitats for various plant and animal species, requiring careful management to preserve their natural balance.
