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Saving hay meadows: This is how the ambassador is shaping the Esslingen district!
Thomas Köhler, hay meadow ambassador in the Esslingen district, promotes the preservation and improvement of biodiversity.
Saving hay meadows: This is how the ambassador is shaping the Esslingen district!
The preservation of hay meadows has become a real focus in the Esslingen district in recent years. A key player in this area is Thomas Köhler, who acts as a hay meadow ambassador for the Landscape Conservation Association (LEV). His goal is to preserve the hay meadows in the district and to significantly improve their condition. These meadows are not only an important part of our cultural landscape, but also provide habitat for many endangered species that rely on the plant communities.
The hay meadows are classified into different categories, with category C representing the worst condition. Köhler's job is to advise farmers and private managers so that their meadows reach the highest quality level - Category A. He supports the revitalizing maintenance of these valuable areas square meter by square meter.
Collaboration and commitment
The LEV was launched in October 2016 and has since increased its membership from 33 to 40. This shows that the commitment to natural areas in the district is growing. However, there is still room for improvement among the municipalities: four of them, including Ostfildern, are not yet members. So there is still a lot of work to be done to get the entire region involved in nature conservation.
One of the LEV's special initiatives includes collaboration with the Frickenhausen Motorsport Club to protect endangered species such as the yellow-bellied toad. A hedge care concept in Erkenbrechtsweiler impressively shows how well thought-out care projects can help to regain habitats. This concept will be implemented between 2020 and 2024 and could serve as a model for other communities.
Funding and projects
The LEV also plays a crucial role in applying for funding for landscape conservation. Last year, more than 2 million euros were applied for, with 1.66 million euros actually paid out. This shows how important financial support is for the implementation of nature conservation projects. Overall, landscape conservation associations are active in 33 of 35 Baden-Württemberg districts, which underlines their relevance.
The LEV Esslingen currently has 58 members, including the district itself, 40 municipalities and private individuals. The team currently consists of four professionals, with another employee returning in September. This ensures that the commitment to the hay meadows and biodiversity in the district continues to grow.
As Kohler emphasizes, it is important that each individual takes responsibility and contributes to nature conservation. There is still a lot of potential for improvement, especially in the hay meadows, which often appear so inconspicuous. It is a community project in which everyone should pull together.