New life in Horst: orchard as a bee paradise and meeting point!

New life in Horst: orchard as a bee paradise and meeting point!

in Horst, Heinsberg, a new orchard with 63 different fruit trees was created on March 5, 2025. This project aims to enrich the townscape, to promote biodiversity and to support environmental education. Under the trees, apple, cherry, pear, house twetschen and renewal trees can be found, which not only contribute to the beauty of the area, but also act as a habitat for numerous animal species. Mayor Kai Louis emphasizes the importance of the project for sustainability and nature conservation, because such meadows are not only aesthetically appealing, but also "hotspots of biodiversity in Western and Central Europe", such as lbv.de emphasized.

The Heimat- und Bürgerverein Horst Plans to equip the meadow with grass paths and to install a bench between the trees. In addition, the areas between the trees are sown with a native wildflower mixture. This flower meadow is intended to create food resources for bees, butterflies and other insects. The city will mow the meadow once a year and sew if necessary to ensure biodiversity.

habitat and biodiversity

orchards not only offer food for numerous animal species, but are also habitats for many plants. In Bavaria, for example, orchards, for example, accommodate around 2,000 different and old fruit types as well as more than 5,000 animal and plant species, such as "https://www.lbv.de/naturschutz/lebensraeumeume-schuetzen/steuobstwiesen/arten Vielfalt-der-der-streuobstwiese/"> lbv.de This concludes insects such as bees and butterflies, but also amphibians and reptiles such as the cross -takers and the earth toad.

The bark of the fruit trees offers a habitat for beetles and spiders, while mammals such as dormouse, hedgehogs, foxes and martens benefit from the fruit wealth. Rehe find a protected place for their fawns in the high grass of the orchards. Extensive grassland management also contributes to the diversity in the sub -growth of the fruit trees and makes these meadows an ecological treasure.

education and community

An essential aspect of the new orchards in Heinsberg is its role in environmental education. Pupils are intended to develop awareness of ecosystems and natural resources, which underlines the importance of sustainable development. Workshops and projects in the orchards include culinary, biological and chemical aspects that offer students practical experiences, such as from the suggestions on lbv.de emerges.

The integration of the school family through seasonal festivals strengthens the community and promotes the exchange between the generations. The knowledge of orchards is deepened through the cooperation with external partners, such as orchard educators and beekeeping. A special focus is on practical projects through which the students are actively involved.

First fruits from the newly planted trees are expected this year, but the right harvest will take place in five years at the earliest. Citizens may harvest the fruits as long as this does not happen commercially. The orchard will not only make a valuable ecological, but also a social contribution to the village community.