Restoring Hamburg’s Elbe floodplains: a new partnership with GÖP

A three-year initiative combining habitat restoration and community empowerment

Focus Area: Environmental Conservation

Hamburg’s freshwater tidal floodplains are a rare and fragile ecosystem, shaped by the unique interplay of river and tide. These habitats exist only in the Hamburg region and are a vital part of the local natural heritage.

The MSC Foundation is proud to join forces with Gesellschaft für ökologische Planung e.V. (GÖP), a Hamburg-based nature conservation association with over 40 years of experience, in a three-year initiative to restore and safeguard the Elbe’s tidal habitats.

Building on our earlier support for the Together for the Elbe programme, this partnership expands ongoing efforts to restore natural riverbanks, plant native trees, maintain dune areas, and remove invasive species — all with a hands-on, low-impact approach suited to sensitive floodplain terrain.

Beyond restoration, the programme places a strong emphasis on education and engagement. Through guided excursions, boat tours, and volunteer activities, GÖP will help local communities connect with the Elbe and understand its ecological significance.

This renewed engagement is also made possible by MSC Germany, which continues to support environmental initiatives in its home city. With this collaboration, the MSC Foundation and GÖP aim to strengthen the resilience of Hamburg’s tidal ecosystems while inspiring communities to take an active role in their care.