A Change of Perspective at the Nature Park Center: BIBOB Participates in the Beaver Simulation Game in Bad Düben

On September 15, 2026, Dr.-Ing. Torsten Heyer from the BIBOB team participated in the so-called “Beaver Simulation Game” at the Bad Düben Nature Park Center, which was organized by the Dübener Heide Nature Park.

The scenario: Beavers are spotted in a community near a river. In a simulated town hall meeting, all participants took on an assigned role and represented the interests associated with it. Dr. Heyer was part of the “beaver-skeptical citizens’ association.” This exercise demonstrated how quickly one can put oneself in someone else’s shoes and how persuasively one can advocate for their arguments, even if one’s personal views are quite different.

This deliberate shift in perspective helps us better understand and take more seriously the concerns and fears of citizens—even when they initially seem insignificant to us. This understanding is a crucial foundation for solutions that are supported by all stakeholders. This applies to the issue of beavers and far beyond.

We were impressed by the simulation as an educational format. We will continue to explore it within the BIBOB project and examine how we can integrate it into our work.