Ecological lawnmowers: sheep maintain cemetery areas in Treptow-Köpenick

"Seven, eight, nine" - these are not secret magic formulas, but the quiet count of Hannah Becker, while the sheep bounce out of their white trailer and plunge into the fresh meadow! A sight that not only loves nature, but also touches heart. Nettles, dandelions and wild undergrowth have spread undisturbed, but now the 16 rough -wool Pomeranian landscapes come into play! These animal lawnmowers have arrived at the cemetery Baumschulenweg to transform a overgrown area into a new home for a colorful flora.

This special measure is more than just an animal mowing. The sheep will graze here in the next three to four weeks - the space will remain unused for burials for the time being. "The peaceful kind of sheep fits a cemetery very well," says the agricultural scientist. You and her intern will look after the animals every day and welcome you as a welcome part of an ecological Initiative of the Street and Green Area Office Treptow-Köpenick. The sheep can decide for themselves in their “mowing use” what the appetite suits them-an environmentally friendly alternative to loud machine maintenance!

The green miracle: sheep as environmentalist

These animal helpers contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by gently reducing feed and protecting the biotope from oppressive plants. "The animals eat mosaic, slow and quiet - that's nature conservation in action!", Cheers Becker. Bees, grasshoppers and local snails find their habitat undisturbed. Even the offspring of the Robins and Steinkäuze benefits from this natural care! As the sheep eat, the seeds of the plants get stuck in their fur and spread on the site. The sheep are real helpers of nature!

A pilot project that was launched in November 2022 already shows great success! The visitors and grave spots owners of the cemetery Baumschulenweg were enthusiastic, so that in autumn 2023 also in the Adlershof and Oberschöneweide cemeteries, sheep. For this purpose, the order was again awarded to the landscape maintenance association Spandau e.V. - two small herds are now in use for the nature conservation measure.

Important information for visitors!

So that this harmonious coexistence between humans and animals will continue to work in the future, the street and green space office asks all cemetery visitors to consider some important rules! Never feed sheep, leashed and keep dogs away from the fence, and: Finger away from the electric fence! This ensures the security of everyone!

"The grazing with sheep on our cemeteries is something very special," explains Dr. Claudia Leistner, the district councilor. "I get a lot of positive feedback and I am pleased that we can implement this natural care!" If the financial resources will continue to be secured in the future, this innovative concept will be further expanded!

In a world that is often hectic and gray, these sheep bring a piece of joie de vivre and nature to the cemetery. Now counting the sheep will become an exciting experience for everyone who visits this small herd - a project that protects more than just plants!