Cemetery Baumschulenweg: Insect paradise fights against species deaths!

In the cemetery of the tree nursery path, it buzzes and buzzes tremendously. Bees and butterflies find a wide range of habitat thanks to the newly created wild bee habitat. This initiative is a joint project of the street and green space office and the Urbanität & Diversity working group. The aim is to actively act against species death and at the same time to create an oasis of biodiversity in urban space.

The use of disused cemetery areas has proven to be particularly successful. As part of the Cemetery Development Plan (FEP) of the State of Berlin, a flock of sheep is also used in these areas. These "animal lawn mowers", which had previously been seen in the cemeteries in Baumschulenweg, Adlershof and Oberschöneweide, are very popular with the visitors. This autumn 2024, the care of the areas is to be continued by the animals; However, the exact date will be announced.

District office Treptow-Köpenick as a pioneer

The district office Treptow-Köpenick has recently been recognized on Deutschlandfunk as a "pioneer" in the conversion of cemetery areas. In a episode of the series "Day by Tag", the recordings were taken in the middle of fruit tree meadows and lizards in the Waldfriedhof Oberschöneweide. As part of this broadcast, district councilor Dr. Claudia Leistner on the important measures to promote biodiversity in the city.

Dr. Leistner, who is responsible for the department of urban development, streets, green spaces and the environment, explained that the district administration is continuously looking for innovative approaches to strengthen the commitment in the field of climate protection and adjustments to climate change. Due to their special use of land, cemeteries offer unique opportunities to meet these challenges.

The discussions and interviews for the initiative in Deutschlandfunk reflect the current trend towards ecological conversion of urban areas. It is increasingly recognized that these areas can be more than simple resting places - they can be redesigned into habitats for flora and fauna.

For interested citizens, the link to the contribution to Deutschlandfunk is provided: "Day by day" on August 7, 2024 sent the title "Schafweide and Hochbet: How cemeteries can be used ecologically" (from minute 06:07). The topic is dealt with comprehensively there.

In addition, further information on the continuous development of the cemetery areas can be viewed in order to gain a better insight into the progress and planning approaches.