Abandoned wild teasel field reborn as a biodiversity haven in Northern Rhön
A former wild teasel field in the Northern Rhön has been transformed into a thriving landscape of hedgerows. Over 500 native shrubs and 20 fruit trees were planted by students, conservationists, and local partners as part of the gArtenvielfalt project. The initiative turned an abandoned area into a small biodiversity corridor for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
The project began when a planned landscape conservation measure with a national company fell through. Instead of leaving the land unused, NABU Dreienberg—who own the site—teamed up with the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve and two 10th-grade classes from Schenklengsfeld Comprehensive School. The students swapped their usual classroom routine for a day of outdoor work, planting shrubs and learning about climate adaptation.
The planting day produced a new landscape of hedgerows that will benefit wildlife for years to come. The collaboration between schools, conservation groups, and the biosphere reserve shows how community efforts can restore and enrich natural spaces. The site now stands as a practical example of volunteer-driven environmental education.
