2025
….and wild nature
4-part documentary series. First aired from July 7 to July 10, 2025.
It is often well hidden among apricot orchards, chestnut forests, and hop gardens: the wild side of Europe. The four-part documentary series “… and Wild Nature” takes viewers to regions where traditional agriculture and untouched nature meet head-on.
Whether it’s flamingos in wetlands, rare pelicans on remote lakes, or ancient forests teeming with life, the series impressively shows how rich and surprising biodiversity can be in the midst of our cultural landscapes. It also introduces people who preserve these special places and work with nature—not against it.
Click here for the episodes of the documentary series in the arte MEDIA LIBRARY.
PROGRAMMES
Apricot orchards and wild nature
The Wachau region combines cultural landscapes with unspoiled nature. Between Krems and Melk on the Danube, apricots and wine thrive under ideal conditions in a region that was shaped by the Romans 2,000 years ago. But climate change is bringing challenges: rising temperatures increase the risk of late frosts.
First aired on: 07/07/2025
Click here for the program in the arte MEDIA LIBRARY
Chestnut forests and wild nature
Lake Skadar is the largest freshwater lake in the Balkan Peninsula. Dalmatian pelicans dive for fish there. On the southern shore, centuries-old chestnut trees are reflected in the water. The chestnut farmers are accompanied through a year in nature. They face ever greater challenges.
First aired on: 08/07/2025
Click here for the program in the arte MEDIA LIBRARY
Fig orchards and wild nature
In the hills with their mild climate, just a few kilometers from the old Ottoman town of Berat, the traditional stone houses of the small Albanian mountain villages nestle against the slopes. The documentary accompanies traditional fig farmers and the flora and fauna of the surrounding biotopes in one of Albania’s most beautiful landscapes through a year in nature.
First aired on: 09/07/2025
Click here for the program in the arte MEDIA LIBRARY
Hop gardens and wild nature
There is no hop-growing region in the world larger than Hallertau in Bavaria. The region is also a fascinating natural landscape. Between the hop gardens, wet meadows and forests provide habitats for an impressive variety of species. Challenges such as drought and pests require innovative approaches from farmers.
First aired on: 10/07/2025
Click here for the program arte MEDIA LIBRARY