Promoting biodiversity at a&o

More plants, more insects, a better microclimate in inner-city neighbourhoods: the first a&o insect hostel has opened and is now boosting biodiversity on Mainzer Landstraße in Frankfurt Galluswarte.

Together with students from Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden, the groundwork was laid for creating areas that promote biodiversity at a&o locations.

This completes the joint project of a&o educare, the City of Frankfurt and Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden. a&o educare Chairman Ralf Olk commented: “A pilot project that is now a blueprint for other a&o locations.” City councillor Tina Zapf-Rodriguez, head of the City of Frankfurt’s department for climate, environment and women, emphasised in a letter: “An insect hotel is more than just a decorative feature (...) Its importance for biodiversity and food security cannot be overstated.”

>> Press release (in German)

Another project is already under way:

at the a&o Hostel Hamburg "Hammer Kirche", a near-natural wildflower meadow for more biodiversity in Hamburg is currently being created (on the great initiative of the a&o staff, led by GM Jan Mix and building technician Markus Stroß, and in cooperation with nature planner Sonja Stadje).