Byodo wild flower campaign

Primary school children sow wild flowers

On 5th October, we received a visit from a Year 2 class from the local primary school, who came to help out with the sowing of wild flowers. They were supervised and assisted by the Mühldorf Rural District Office, the environmental model region of Isental, the seed grower himself and Wildland e.V.. However, before the time came to sow the seeds, the kids first found out a thing or two about how to recognise different wild flowers. With the aid of a beaker magnifying glass, they then matched the seeds to the corresponding plants. A new flowerbed had been prepared in advance at the Byodo site and it wasn’t long before everyone was hard at work excitedly planting the seeds in it. The finishing touch was covering the bed over with planks and joyfully patting down the soil underfoot.

The campaign was inspired by the desire to protect and reintroduce wild flowers. Its sponsors include the environmental model region of Isental and the Bund Naturschutz branch in Mühldorf. The aim is to raise awareness of and counteract the dwindling numbers of wild flowers like poppies, cornflowers, field pansies and corn campions. These plants have adapted to the working of the land for thousands of years and over the last 60 years or so have been gradually disappearing as a result of the increased use of fertilisers and pesticides. In Bavaria, 12 species of wild flower are now classed as extinct and a further 20 are endangered or severely endangered. Such flowers represent an important food source for wild bees and other insects. Birds such as larks, partridges and quails value these insects in turn as well as the seeds of the wild flowers themselves as a source of food.

Whether an agriculturist or a private individual, every one of us can contribute to halting this decline by sowing wild flower seeds around the edges of fields, in environmental compensation/buffer areas or in private gardens, for example. Do your bit to boost the blooming and buzzing so that we can all continue to enjoy the vital meadows with their variety of wild animals and plants.