The wide floodplain of the upper Main is shaped by human use. The construction of settlements, industrial zones, transport routes and above all
gravel quarrying have claimed many near-natural areas in recent decades.
Between Burgkunstadt and Bamberg, however, near-natural areas in the Main valley have also been preserved or have been renatured. The species-rich meadows, alluvial forests and naturally designed quarry ponds are home to numerous rare animal and plant species.
The preservation of biological diversity is an important goal of the European Union (EU). For this purpose, the EU has designated a European network of protected areas called Natura 2000. Consisting of bird protection areas and FFH areas (fauna-flora-habitat areas), it lays the foundation for a Europe-wide biotope network.
Many of these areas need targeted care and development measures to ensure or improve their ecological quality. In order to support the member states in this, the EU has launched the European support program LIFE-Nature.
The districts of Bamberg and Lichtenfels have joined forces for the Main Valley and applied for the LIFE Nature Project Upper Main Valley. Other project partners are the State Association for Bird Protection in Bavaria e.V. and the Bund Naturschutz in Bayern e.V. The project is supported by numerous municipalities, authorities, associations and institutions.
Unlike many quarry ponds in the Main valley, the Rudufersee was created specifically as a bathing lake.
The lake is fed by groundwater.
The north side of the lake offers the best conditions for bathers, on the south bank there are still many landscape structures typical of the Main valley.
The nature adventure trail leads as a circular route around the lake.
Elements of the natural and cultural landscape are presented at 13 stations.