Maintenance of the former Tössriederen tank farm

In Tössriederen there is a nature reserve steeped in history, right on the Rhine. In the 1950s, Migrol AG built an underground tank depot for fuels and combustibles on the approximately 4 hectare site. At that time, there were plans to use the Rhine as a waterway. This waterway was never realized and so the tank depot was shut down, emptied and the area sold in 1978.

Over the years, the plant became a safety risk for the environment and people due to its decay. In 2015, the AWEL of the Canton of Zurich therefore took the initiative to find a sustainable solution for the plant. The dismantling of the plant was planned with various stakeholders, and this took place in 2018.

In spring 2019, Pro Natura Zurich acquired the property and created a diverse and species-rich local recreation area. Large areas of dry and moist meadows, a pond for the tree frog ( Hyla arborea ) and two ponds for yellow-bellied toads ( Bombina variegata ) were created. The Laubibach stream meanders across the site and thanks to a footpath, the local population can enjoy this natural jewel up close.

The Nature Network has been supporting Pro Natura in the maintenance and care of the meadows since the start of the project in 2019. The main focus is on combating neophytes and problem species such as annual fleabane ( Erigeron annuus ), butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii ), goldenrod ( Solidago ), blackberry ( Rubus ), willows ( Salix ), reeds ( Phragmites australis ) and blackberries ( Rumex obtusifolius ). Large stones are collected, water channels are stabilized, the tree line is kept in check and metal residues are collected.

In addition, dredging work was carried out on the southern area in late autumn 2022. At the existing pond, the dry horizontal drain was deepened so that the water can drain away again. In addition, the vertical drain was narrowed with two metal plates so that the water finds its way through the newly deepened ditch. This creates a new, slow-flowing open water surface that provides a home for various insects and amphibians.

The work on the newly created areas always brings new, great nature experiences. The southern meadow is home to many butterflies and a diverse meadow flora. But amphibians also regularly visit the working volunteers, such as water frogs ( Pelophylax ) or fire salamanders ( Salamandra salamandra ). The Tössriederen tank farm is a great example of how quickly a species-rich meadow can develop and provide a home for a diverse fauna.