Forest. Water. Moor.
Habitats right on our doorstep
Annual theme 2026 and photo competition: An attentive look into the Erzgebirge forest
When winter break begins in Saxony, the forest becomes a playground for many families, offering opportunities for outings, walks, and exploratory trips. The Eibenstock Forest District is seizing this very moment to launch a special annual theme. Under the motto “Forest. Water. Moor,” the district will focus in 2026 on those areas that are often overlooked yet crucial for biodiversity and water storage—wet forests, moors, small streams, and spring areas in the Ore Mountains.
Around World Wetlands Day on February 2 and just in time for the start of the Saxon winter vacations, the forest district is inviting people to explore these habitats with a keen eye and capture them in pictures. A photo competition is looking for motifs that show how closely forests, water and moorland belong together in the Ore Mountains: from mist over a moorland area to dewdrops on mosses and small streams that feed large drinking water reservoirs.
Why water shapes the forest
The Erzgebirge Forest is more than just a sea of trees. Water often determines how healthy and diverse it is. It collects in bogs, seeps into the forest floor, feeds streams and reservoirs, and thus forms the basis for numerous animal and plant species as well as for the human drinking water supply.
Bogs play a special role in this. They are sensitive, rich in species, and highly dependent on water levels. At the same time, they have shaped the landscape for centuries—even in areas where past drainage, peat extraction, and economic exploitation have left their mark.
Responsibility for a sensitive landscape
The Eibenstock Forest District manages large contiguous forest areas with numerous wetlands and bogs. Three drinking water reservoirs are located within its territory and supply large parts of the region with clean water.
The foresters are responsible for preserving these unique habitats, caring for them with care, and ensuring their vital role for the forest, water, and biodiversity. This is about more than just a snapshot. The focus is on a long-term understanding of forests and the landscape.
“Many people associate the forest primarily with trees. Yet water often determines how healthy and diverse a forest is. Bogs, wet soils, and small streams are naturally part of it, especially here in the Ore Mountains,” says Johannes Riedel, head of the Eibenstock Forest District. “With the motto ‘Forest. Water. Moor,’ we want to highlight this connection and encourage people to take a closer look.”
Photo Contest: Look, Discover, CaptureHow
does the forest reveal itself throughout the year? Fog lying over a bog in the spring. A glistening mushroom after a rainy day. Dragonflies at a quiet spring or autumnal colors in the bog forest. It is often the small details that create the special atmosphere of these landscapes and that sometimes go unnoticed in everyday life.
In 2026, the Eibenstock Forest District invites you to consciously observe such moments and capture them in photographs. Under this year’s theme, a photo contest is being launched to seek out images from across the entire forest district. We are looking for images that highlight the close connection between forest, water, and moor in the Ore Mountains, ranging from sweeping landscapes to surprising details.
The best photos will be published in a calendar for the year 2027. This will create a shared perspective on the region, showing how differently people perceive their forest and its wetlands.
Participation in the
Contest• Anyone interested may enter, regardless of age or photography experience.
• Submissions are accepted starting now through September 30, 2026.
• Further information about the contest and details on the rules and regulations can be found on the forest district’s website: Photo Contest 2026
A Look Ahead to 2026Throughout the
year, the Eibenstock Forest District will explore various aspects of its annual theme: from the role of water in the forest and bogs as unique habitats to historical traces of human use and current research questions.
Those who join the Forest District on this journey will discover that forests, water, and bogs have many stories to tell—and new ones will be added throughout the year.
We would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a moorland walk with district forester Anne Borowski, which will take place on June 6 as part of the spring walks. Those interested will gain an insight into the fauna and flora of the moors, learn why these habitats are so sensitive and what role they play in the region's water balance. At the same time, the walk offers a great opportunity to discover new motifs for the photo competition.
Note to Editors
: The Eibenstock Forest District is happy to connect you with suitable contacts regarding its annual theme, “Forest. Water. Moor,” as well as related forestry and environmental issues. On-site visits are also available upon request. Please feel free to contact us.