After years of planning and coordination, the first step towards upgrading the Mallertshofer Holz nature reserve near Garching has now been taken: on an area of around nine hectares, the soil affected by arable farming and sewage sludge spreading is being removed to a maximum depth of 40 centimeters, making it a refuge for those at risk created heather birds and plants. According to the Garching town hall, the resulting material – more than 30,000 cubic meters – is to be taken to nearby former landfill sites, which in turn are used as heathland on which sheep graze – and, in the best case, endangered bird species such as the red-backed shrike settle down .
The redesign of the Mallertshofer Holz was planned in close cooperation between the city of Garching and the Munich North Heath Area Association. Mayor Dietmar Gruchmann (SPD) emphasized at the symbolic groundbreaking that the project will give the heath back a piece of its natural vegetation. The excavation of the topsoil causes a thinning out, so that semi-arid and dry grassland can develop there. This is a prerequisite for creating new habitats for the skylark, an endangered heather bird. The construction project is scheduled to be completed in February 2023.