Municipalities for Biological Diversity 8th Sino-German Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation Silke Wissel, Deutsche Umwelthilfe / Environmental Action Germany
Environmental Action Germany About 90 staff members in several offices Topics: Energy Climate protection Traffic and air pollution control Recycling management Consumer protection Nature conservation Municipal environmental protection 2
Deutsche Umwelthilfe Municipal Environmental Protection Topics: Biodiversity Nature conservation Climate protection Environmental justice Methods: Competitions, conferences, coaching, research Appointed secretariat of the Alliance Municipalities for Biological Diversity Stadt Bad Saulgau 3
Alliance Municipalities for Biological Diversity I. Background II. Organisational structure III. Goals & Activities IV. Project examples The Alliance is supported by: 4
I. BACKGROUND
National Biodiversity Strategy Our towns provide their residents with a high quality of life, as well as providing a habitat for many species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. A diverse range of plants improves the air quality and urban climate. Towns offer a wide range of recreational, play and nature experience opportunities for young and old alike. 6
National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) Implementation process on the local level: In 2010: Stakeholder conference with municipal representatives, publication of the Declaration Municipalities for Biological Diversity (currently 260 signatories) In 2012: Founding of the Alliance Municipalities for Biological Diversity (currently 105 members) Increasing number of cities with local biodiversity strategies 7
II. Organisational structure
Alliance Municipalities for Biological Diversity Legal status: NGO Steering Committee Mayors, environmental department staff of several cities and towns across Germany Secretariat Director and project manager in Radolfzell Funding Membership fee, initial funding from German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), project funding DUH 9
Members Number of inhabitants Number of municipalities < 25.000 42 < 50.000 22 < 100.000 15 < 200.000 8 < 300.000 10 < 400.000 2 < 500.000 1 < 1.000.000 4 > 1.000.000 1 105 12. June 2015 10
III. GOALS & ACTIVITIES
Main fields of action: Green spaces in the built-up areas Conserve natural areas within cities and towns, promote ecological green space management, create nature experience opportunities, promote native plant species and local variations Protection of Species and Biotopes Biotope network, species protection, river and lake protection Sustainable use Agriculture and forestry, rivers and lakes, sustainable tourism Awareness raising and cooperation Raise awareness of the value of urban green spaces, promote voluntary activities, environmental education & cooperation between municipalities
Instruments & Activities: Exchange of information Networking between environmental departments of municipalities; collection and dissemination of best-practice-examples of local actions etc. Public relations Awareness raising on biodiversity issues among the public and within local authorities Joint projects Initiating and implementing joint activities and projects; coordinating cooperation between member cities etc. Political lobby Representing municipal interests on the regional, national and European levels; representing the alliance on national and international conferences etc.
Communication: Website: www.kommbio.de Alliance database: projects, contact information of member cities Publications Brochures, flyers Quarterly newsletter MITGLIEDERVERSAMMLUNG 2015 22.04.2015
Conferences & Workshops Kick-off conference Frankfurt/Main in 2012 Workshop: Strategic Diversity Local Biodiversity Strategies, Hannover in 2013 Workshop: The value of Urban Nature Ecosystem services of urban nature, Bielefeld in 2014 Workshop: Green Spaces and Climate Change Climate change adaptation and mitigation, Neuss, 2015 DUH 15
IV. PROJECT EXAMPLES 16
Apolda Frankfurt 17
Apolda Shrinking city Population loss of over 20 % since 1989 (22,000 inhabitants today, 28,000 in 1989) Redundant housing estates High density housing in prefabricated concrete slab Stadt Apolda 18
Apolda Demolition sites Buildings were demolished, concrete returned as recycling material Seeds from local dry grasslands Stadt Apolda 19
Apolda Demolition sites Management regime: Mowed 1/year, grass removed Many rare plant species, abundant insect and bird life City was returned to nature Stadt Apolda 20
Frankfurt/Main Green city Green spaces cover 52 % of surface area Growing city Population increase of over 18 % since 1986 (701.500 inhabitants today, 592.500 in 1986) Housing demand High pressure on green spaces Stefan Cop 21
Frankfurt Green Belt Founded in 1991 Surrounding the city 8,000 ha 1/3 of municipal area of Frankfurt Protection status: Landscape protection area National protection status Green Belt Constitution Frankfurt-specific, by decision of the city council 22
Frankfurt Green Belt Positive effects on the city s climate, biodiversity, quality of life Nature conservation & recreation Extensive evironmental education programme Umweltamt Stadt Frankfurt Stefan Cop 23
National Biodiversity Strategy Our towns provide their residents with a high quality of life, as well as providing a habitat for many species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. A diverse range of plants improves the air quality and urban climate. Towns offer a wide range of recreational, play and nature experience opportunities for young and old alike. 24
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Silke Wissel Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.v. / Environmental Action Germany Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4 78315 Radolfzell wissel@duh.de
How to become a member Sign the Declaration " Municipalities for Biological Diversity Decision of the city council Membership fee
Diverse and Species-rich Urban Green Project start in 2016 Label Ecological green space management Empowerment Diverse and species-rich urban green Funding for pilote cities Public campaign