There are around 150 biotopes in Feldkirchen, Kirchheim and Aschheim. Most residents know shockingly little about this, as Norbert Steinmeier has discovered. In the new year, the chairman of the local group of the Bund Naturschutz (BN) for the three municipalities, together with his team, would like to draw the population’s attention to biotopes that are particularly worthy of protection. The start on Tuesday is a visit to a gravel pond east of the Birkenhof on the Aschheimer Flur – in Steinmeier’s words an “ecological jewel”.
Some conservationists are of the opinion that such areas should simply be left alone and that not too many people should be allowed in. But Steinmeier is convinced: “You have to bring valuable biotopes closer to people, otherwise they have no connection to them.” If you can get an idea of the importance of a biotope for biodiversity, you can also focus on preservation.
For Steinmeier, this sensitization starts early: environmental education for children has always been a major concern for him, says the 61-year-old. Getting the little ones interested in nature and species protection is also the main motivation for his involvement in the local group of the Federal Nature Conservation Association, which he joined shortly after it was founded in autumn 2006.
Initially, Steinmeier organized many excursions for elementary school students to the local biotopes, as he says, the old railway line in Feldkirchen, for example, was a popular destination. Later, the conservationists established holiday programs in cooperation with TSV Feldkirchen and the adult education center. According to Steinmeier, the courses, in which the children learn, among other things, how to identify plants and protect insects, are very popular.
The qualified civil engineer has received several awards for his commitment. In 2015 he received the Green Angel from the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment for voluntary work in the environmental sector. Steinmeier knows that he stands up for nature in difficult times: “Our efforts to preserve biodiversity are against the background of a constant decline.”
However, he does see a positive development. Ten years ago, he recalls, environmentalists were hardly taken seriously. That has changed. “Nevertheless, unfortunately, too little is happening,” says Steinmeier. However, the local group is not frustrated because of this, says Steinmeier. “It’s important to keep your head up. A gloomy mood doesn’t help anyone either.”