Mering is blooming: new areas for insects and natural diversity!

Mering is blooming: new areas for insects and natural diversity!

A new flowering area in St. Afra was inaugurated today in Mering, which offers an important habitat for insects, birds and endangered plants. The project, which has been implemented over the last two years, is located near the Meringer city biotope and is intended to contribute to the improvement of municipal green spaces and species protection. During the opening ceremony, Mayor Florian Mayer emphasized the great relevance of these measures for the biodiversity of the region. “The improvement of these areas is not only an aesthetic benefit for our community, but also an important step towards protecting our environment,” he explained.

The initiative to create the flowering area came about four years ago and was largely driven forward by Petra von Thienen, Mering's environmental officer. Under the leadership of the Federation for Nature Conservation, represented by Wolfhard von Thienen, who supervised the project, the potential of the area in relation to the urban biotope was recognized. In collaboration with Christina Niegl from the Landscape Conservation Association, a detailed concept was developed and financing was secured by the Mering Foundation. Initial soil exploration led to the realization that the original idea of ​​completely depleting the lech gravel could not be implemented.

Design and implementation of the flowering area

The flowering area was designed to represent the natural gravel and heath landscape of the Lech. Landscape gardener Felix Schmitt from NaturGärtnerei Immenstadt carried out the design, creating various small structures that enable a high level of biodiversity. The area is accessible and offers special wall structures for lizards and insects. Residents were actively involved in the project, were able to submit their suggestions and helped implement the ideas.

Planting and sowing took place in spring and autumn last year with the support of volunteers. The Pro-Seminar at the Meringer High School showed particular commitment, creating an information board for the area under the direction of Stella Mamikonian and biology teacher Martina Grundei. Mayor Mayer praised the environmental commitment of the students and teachers.

Promoting biodiversity in Germany

In parallel to such municipal initiatives, work is being done nationwide to promote biological diversity. As bfn.de reports, various cities such as Neuburg am Inn and Darmstadt are receiving support from the Federal Biological Diversity Program to develop new strategies for preserving biodiversity. These funding projects aim to create species-rich habitats and improve air quality in urban areas.

Furthermore, the Heinz Sielmann Foundation published a free guideline that supports municipalities in promoting biological diversity in residential areas and in the open air. The “Guide for more living spaces and biodiversity in municipalities” offers practical instructions and shows financial support options.

The newly created flowering area in Mering offers splashes of color all year round and is scheduled to be cut for the first time next spring. Until then, it serves as a valuable winter quarters for insects and their larvae, which underlines the importance of such projects for nature conservation in urban areas. The initiative in Mering shows how sustainable measures can be taken to protect nature through the cooperation and commitment of citizens and local organizations.