Munich's green wonders: Prize awarded for insect-friendly meadows!

Munich's green wonders: Prize awarded for insect-friendly meadows!

The city of Munich is a pioneer in the design of natural green spaces. An impressive example of this is the recent award for the ecological transformation of green spaces by the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) Munich. The biodiversity team of the BUND Nature Conservation (BN), Munich district group, achieved second place in the “Personal Achievements” category in the “More Green for Munich” competition. LMU.

In the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district, two areas were redesigned: a 100 square meter piece at Pettenkoferstraße 14a and flowering islands at Beethovenplatz 1. These areas, which were previously intensively maintained, multi-cut lawns, experienced an environmentally friendly transformation. The responsible gardeners removed the turf, replaced the topsoil with a nutrient-poor substrate and used specially formulated seed mixtures. In addition, local young plants, mostly from our own propagation, were used LMU.

An ecological care concept ensures that the flowering areas are preserved in the long term. Mowing has been reduced and re-seeding is carried out if necessary. Pruning takes into account the needs of flowering species that serve as nesting sites for wild bees. The newly created areas are now home to numerous plant species, including meadow sage, common viper's head and meadow bluebell. This environment has already attracted many species of insects, including wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies and beetles, which have now found new habitats LMU.

A big goal: more biological diversity

Promoting biodiversity in urban areas is not just a local goal, but part of a larger nationwide program. The Federal Biological Diversity Program has launched the “Urban Nature” funding priority to create natural and species-rich green spaces through ecological green space management. Initiatives such as “Allotments for Biological Diversity” and “UrbanInsects” are also aimed at designing habitats for insects and other organisms BFN.

Beyond the city of Munich, various municipalities are called upon to develop their own biodiversity strategies. One example is Moers, where citizens should be actively involved in the creation of natural areas. These initiatives are essential because urban nature and people's relationship with nature are increasingly complex. After all, a lot has happened in urban planning in the last few decades to pay more attention to the natural parts of urban life bpb.

Challenges and solutions

The challenges are enormous, especially given urban growth and the associated pressure on natural habitats. While in the past cities and nature were often viewed as opposites, current research shows that urban areas with their diverse building structures can also provide habitats for many species. In 2013, the legislature in Germany created a legal framework with the “Law to Strengthen Internal Development” that underlines the importance of natural areas bpb.

However, proactive approaches are required to promote urban nature conservation. Concepts such as Animal-Aided Design aim to support animal-friendly planning and promote the establishment of stable animal populations in urban areas. This requires close collaboration between planners and biologists to integrate the needs of flora and fauna into urban planning.

Overall, Munich is an example of the successful combination of urban life and the promotion of biological diversity. Such initiatives could not only renew the cityscape, but also contribute to citizens' quality of life in the long term. The award ceremony for this remarkable commitment will take place on July 10th in the town hall on Marienplatz.