Engaging the Community at the Seniorenzentrum

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to present the results of my Phenological Survey of the local Parsdorf biotope at the Seniorenzentrum Baldham, Vaterstetten. Unlike my previous presentations aimed at influencing local authorities at the Gemeinde or to present the results of the study at BUND Naturschutz, this one was focused entirely on engaging our community and raising awareness about local biodiversity and the importance of respecting nature.

Despite my imperfect German, the 20-minute presentation sparked tremendous enthusiasm and interest among the residents. What began as a concise overview quickly blossomed into nearly an hour of vibrant questions and answers, highlighting the genuine curiosity and passion the attendees had for our local wildlife and natural environment.

The session was heartwarming and incredibly rewarding. Attendees asked insightful questions about the specific animals, the effects of trespassers and others, and expressed a keen desire to learn more about preserving our natural habitats. I was especially touched by the suggestion of organizing nature walks led by myself, which demonstrated not just curiosity but a real eagerness to actively engage with the environment in a respectful manner!

Of course, the idea of guided nature walks will require coordination and approval from local authorities and collaboration with BN, but the initial response was overwhelmingly positive, giving me hope that such community activities could soon become a reality.

This experience reinforced my belief in the power of community engagement as a critical aspect of effective nature conservation. It was immensely fulfilling to see firsthand how sharing knowledge can inspire deeper connections between people and the natural world around them.

You can find the video of the presentation here!