Thuringia's Orchard Meadows Take Center Stage for Global Conservation Day
International Orchard Meadow Day Celebrates a Vital Tradition
Every year, on the last Friday in April, orchard meadows—known as Streuobstwiesen—are celebrated worldwide. To mark the occasion, the Thuringian Rhön Landscape Conservation Association (Landschaftspflegeverband "Thüringer Rhön" e.V.) invites the public to a guided tour of its orchard meadow near Hämpfershausen.
For centuries, these traditional meadows have shaped our cultural landscape, providing fruit while also serving as grazing land for livestock. Beyond their practical uses, they offer spaces for recreation and deliver ecological benefits—improving soil health, water retention, and climate resilience. Yet their greatest treasure lies in their extraordinary biodiversity, hosting a wealth of species that thrive in no other habitat.
Sadly, these biodiversity hotspots now face existential threats: abandonment of traditional land use, climate change, and infestations by pests and diseases—such as the parasitic mistletoe (Laubholzmistel). International Orchard Meadow Day aims to raise awareness of their irreplaceable value and the urgent need to protect them.
The Thuringian Rhön Landscape Conservation Association and the Rhön Natura 2000 Station have championed the preservation of orchard meadows for over 30 years. Since 2018, their commitment has intensified through the ENL-funded project "Winged Diversity" ("Geflügelte Vielfalt"*), which includes meadow maintenance and workshops on fruit tree care. Now in its second phase since 2023, the initiative continues to gain momentum.
"Our goal is to strengthen orchard meadow ecosystems and the species that depend on them," explains Ricarda Blum of the project team. "Special attention goes to the 'winged' inhabitants—birds like thewryneckand bats such as theBechstein's batand thegrey long-eared bat—all of which find critical habitat here."
A classic orchard meadow features widely spaced fruit trees with managed undergrowth, primarily grassland—a component often overlooked but equally vital. "Many people don't realize how important this layer is," notes Lena Gothe of the conservation association.
The association's own meadow in Hämpfershausen exemplifies sustainable stewardship, balancing tree and ground-level care. To showcase these practices, this year's event includes a guided tour of the Spielberg Variety Orchard, led by the site's manager. Participants will gain firsthand insights into ecological orchard management and the unique characteristics of the landscape.
Event Details: 📍 Meeting point: Spielberg Variety Orchard, Hämpfershausen ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM 📅 Registration required by April 23, 2026 (limited spots available)
Attendees are advised to dress for the weather. The event is free of charge.
