The Ecological Research Station Rees of the Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, is located in the district of Kleve (Rhine km 845, North Rhine-Westphalia) in the Lower Rhine floodplain area. The surrounding landscape is shaped by a rich diversity of renatured and protected pastureland and diverse freshwater habitats, including the main channel of the River Rhine, Rhine oxbows and large number of gravel pit lakes at different stages of ecological succession. The area is furthermore an important habitat for migratory birds (international protected area after Ramsar Convention).

The station provides the infrastructure for field work with a focus on equipment for freshwater ecology. Field samples can be processed in the fully equipped laboratories, including methods and conditions for molecular approaches. Next to the working infrastructure, the station offers space to accommodate a maximum of 26 researchers and students during courses and excursions.

Since its official opening in 1973, the station has been located in Rees-Grietherbusch. After 50 years of intensive and successful ecological research and teaching, the Ecological Research Station Rees has moved to a new building in Rees-Bienen. In direct neighborhood and close collaboration with the Naturschutzzentrum Kreis Kleve e.V., a new era of collaborative work between the two partners has been starting.