Final push for increased biodiversity: Germany takes action!
The Foundation for Man and Environment is hosting a nationwide planting competition called "Deutschland summt!" in 2025, aiming to counteract the decline of insect species and promote biodiversity. The competition, now in its 10th year, invites participation from a wide range of groups, including families, daycares, schools, companies, and associations.
Julia Sander, head of the "Deutschland summt!" planting competition, encourages short-term measures like planting native wildflowers, setting up nesting aids, creating a watering hole, or integrating deadwood to contribute to biodiversity. These actions can be taken on balconies, terraces, roof gardens, vertical gardens, small and large private gardens, company gardens, allotment gardens, school and youth club gardens, daycare gardens, municipal areas, association gardens, properties of administrations or churches, and more.
Participants can submit their nature-friendly spaces by July 31, 2025, for a chance to win attractive prizes. The submission deadline for the competition is fast approaching, so it's time to get planting!
The jury values action and celebration photos as they help spread enthusiasm to others. Winning the competition could earn participants money and material prizes totaling over €10,000, along with an invitation to the award ceremony in Berlin on September 27, 2025.
In addition to the competition, the "Deutschland summt!" website offers free materials for planting lists, guides, tips for designing a nature-friendly balcony, and a guide to creating a natural garden. Previous competition entries can be viewed online, providing inspiration for this year's participants.
Wild bees and other insects play a crucial role in almost all ecosystems. If their population declines, it ultimately has consequences for us. By participating in the "Deutschland summt!" planting competition, you can help create habitats for wild bees, butterflies, and other insects, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity.
This year, a special highlight is a photo competition focused on the theme "My Garden Paradise." Participants can submit nature-friendly balconies, gardens, or company premises to create habitats for wild bees, butterflies, and other insects, and showcase their own "Garden Paradise."
For more information and participation conditions, visit the official website: www.wir-tun-was-fuer-bienen.de. Let's work together to support biodiversity and create a greener, more insect-friendly world!
- Julia Sander recommends implementing short-term measures in environmental-science, such as planting native wildflowers, setting up nesting aids, and creating a watering hole, not just in large gardens but also in home-and-garden spaces like balconies, terraces, and roof gardens.
- The special highlight of this year's "Deutschland summt!" planting competition is the "My Garden Paradise" photo competition, which encourages participants to showcase their nature-friendly home-gardening projects, focusing on habitats for wild bees, butterflies, and other insects in their personal gardens, balconies, or company premises.
- In addition to the main competition, the "Deutschland summt!" website provides free resources for those interested in lifestyle changes contributing to biodiversity, including planting lists, guides, and tips for designing a nature-friendly balcony, as well as inspiration from previous competition entries.
