Creation of a meager flowering area with an insect castle in public space

Lean flower meadow for wild bees, butterflies, insects & Co. including an insect castle in public space

Hangelar hums and buzzes: Two parents of our school (Christiane Herweck and Markus Menke) brought this extensive project to life. They wanted a local connection and came up with something special for Hangelar: the creation of a 180 square meter flowering area including an insect castle. In doing so, they want to counteract the dramatic decline in insects and transform the area made available by the city of Sankt Augustin directly at one of the gates to the Green C path system into a paradise for bees, butterflies, beetles and other insects. For walkers on the Hangelarer Heide there is a lot to see even before completion. The turf of the area has already been removed with a tractor. The 6th graders of the Waldorf School, who are buzzing around like little bees, are also an eye-catcher: They are eagerly building an insect castle and thus creating a valuable and rare breeding ground for wild bees, 75 percent of which breed in the ground.

Lean soil creates diversity: Herweck and Menke decided to create a so-called lean area. After removing the turf, sand is worked into the soil to obtain a nutrient-poor soil. When it came to the seed, the decision was made to use a regional, colorfully flowering, very species-rich variety whose nectar and pollen also provide food for insects that specialize in these plants and cannot find food on any other flower.

The seeds were sown on Saturday 6 April at 1 p.m. Christiane Herweck and Markus Menke spoke the greeting and explanatory words, 3 students of class 8 agreed with Haydn in the sowing ceremony. Then it started: the red sowing aprons were tied on, the seeds were distributed by Herweck and Menke - saying the sowing saying, the seeds were sown on command in two opposite rows! The press was delighted by the atmosphere. Original sound: "That's Waldorf!" Carmen Rump from the office for nature and environmental protection of the city of Sankt Augustin, Schwab, Hangelar's mayor and Thomas Pätzold from the Greens also planted the seeds in the area. Now we hope that the seed will do well and that we will soon be able to report on the first rare wild bee species we have seen.

The city of Sankt Augustin about the project: "The city of Sankt Augustin is delighted very much about the school's commitment to nature. The flowering area perfectly complements our own efforts as part of the campaign 'City green close to nature'," says landscape architect Carmen Rump from the office for nature and environmental protection in the city of Sankt Augustin. "I am very happy that we can finally sow seeds," says Christiane Herweck, and adds: "Then it's time to be patient - and watch the blossoms grow." Welcome walkers on the Hangelarer Heide.

More info here!