LEG Saar is once again creating floral landscapes as part of its ‘Species-Rich Saarland’ (‘Saarland Artenreich’) project to promote biodiversity in the districts of Merzig-Wadern, Saarlouis, St.Wendel, Neunkirchen and the Saar-Palatinate area. Within two years, approximately 60 hectares of new flowered landscapes have been created in Saarland, offering protection and food to many endangered animal species.
This was once again made possible by Saarland’s regional development company LEG Saar and the Vereinigung der Jäger des Saarlandes (‘Saarland Hunters’ Association’, VJS), together with nearly 30 Saarland municipalities and farmers.
State Secretary and chairman of LEG Saar’s board Roland Theis emphasises the importance of the project: ‘This year’s relaunch of floral landscapes as a part of Species-Rich Saarland is very important to me. This is because as a public company, we are not only making an environmental contribution to the development of our cities and municipalities – we are also playing a vital role in our state’s environmental, sustainable development. With this project, we are promoting biodiversity in our homeland, Saarland’s species-rich cultivated landscape. That is our mission.’
The project www.saarland-artenreich.de
Working with hunters from the region and municipalities, areas are identified that are particularly suitable for creating flowered landscapes with a wealth of insect life. LEG Saar provides land owners with a special seed mixture containing around 60 different regional wildflower species, free of charge. In return, they commit to setting the land aside and sowing the seeds. This creates new, diverse floral landscapes that offer food and protection for numerous species such as native wild bees and butterflies, as well as partridges, pheasants, hares and various types of bird.
LEG Saar obtained the seeds from RWZ Raiffeisen Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main and der Haseler Mühle in Neunkirchen. Alongside LEG Saar and the VJS, the various municipalities are also playing a key role in the joint project by providing relevant space.
LEG Saar’s CEO Valentin Holzer highlights the community nature of this unique project: ‘Species-Rich Saarland enjoyed a successful launch last year. Since then, LEG Saar has managed to create more than 60 hectares of habitat for Saarland’s animals within just two years. This was made possible by our strong partners, in particular those who provided us with agricultural land – municipalities, farmers, individuals, and also the VJS, which is supporting the project.’
In the years ahead, the project participants plan to extend this commitment to other areas of Saarland, in order to raise awareness of the vital topic that is biodiversity and to contribute even further to creating a sustainable, species-rich cultivated landscape.
Floral winners in the summer of 2021
The weather conditions (less sunshine and lower temperatures this summer) mean that sunflowers, for example, are only just truly coming into bloom. This has also shifted the flowering period in the planted areas. Marigolds, which would normally need to reproduce and flower now, are virtually non-existent this season. Conversely, other plants such as the musk thistle, common mallow and wild carrot have taken the lead in planted areas this year. They have successfully spread in impressive fashion, highlighting the huge benefits of Saarland’s species-rich areas and showcasing the laws of nature: if a plant is put at a disadvantage by the weather, this benefits another species that is better suited to the particular conditions.
Ensuring sustainable state development
LEG Saar is a municipality partner under the umbrella of Strukturholding Saar, a 100% state subsidiary. As a public company, we work with municipalities to develop our state’s infrastructure and economy, revitalise town centres, create living spaces, and generate jobs for people in our state. In doing so, we set great store by environmental sustainability, in order to ensure that we preserve our diverse, beautiful flora and fauna for future generations. www.leg-saar.de
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