Natural history hike in Erlabrunn: Little wood shines through care!

Natural history hike in Erlabrunn: Little wood shines through care!

On June 23, 2025, a natural history hike by the Erlabrunn Fruit and Horticultural Association (OGV) took place, which attracted numerous nature enthusiasts. Around 60 participants accepted the invitation to this exciting event, which took place in the “Hölzlein”, a picturesque steep slope on the northern border of Zellingen. Niels Kölbl from the Würzburg Landscape Conservation Association and members of the association's board led the group through the varied landscape. It was a day that not only served to relax, but also to impart knowledge about the local flora and fauna. Mainpost reports that the Hölzlein was previously only accessible on foot and many of these properties were heavily overgrown with bushes. Fruit trees that once dominated the landscape had been forgotten and keeping the few well-kept orchards open became increasingly difficult.

Thanks to the support of funding, it was possible to release these areas to care farmers three years ago. This positive development has not only improved lighting conditions, but also promoted the growth of flowering plants. Biodiversity is not just a buzzword, but describes the “diversity of life” and is crucial to maintaining balance in nature. The LPV Würzburg emphasizes that a significant part of biological diversity is threatened by factors such as climate change and habitat destruction.

Challenges for nature conservation

The measures taken by the landscape conservation association, which were presented as part of the hike, were viewed as entirely positive, even if certain challenges remained. No funding was approved by the Free State for follow-up care for the current year. This means that the continued maintenance of these valuable areas is in jeopardy, which not least has an impact on the animal world. The little owl, which breeds in the area, requires low-growing vegetation to hunt, while wild boars rummage through adjacent meadows, making it difficult to restore mowed areas.

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) supports such projects in the areas of nature conservation and landscape conservation. Above all, the Federal Environment Ministry provides the necessary funding. However, project ideas must correspond to the specified modalities. BfN also offers advice and provides information about various funding programs that support the sustainable protection of nature.

A big thank you goes to Niels Kölbl for his exciting explanations, which not only gave the participants an understanding of the local flora, but also made them aware of the importance of nature conservation. Such committed actions promote biodiversity on the one hand and create awareness of the challenges that need to be overcome on the other. In this sense, the natural history hikes of the OGV Erlabrunn are more than just leisure activities; they are important for our environment and our interaction with it.