Press release
June 25, 2026, No. 105
Joint Initiative for Biodiverse Hay Meadows in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District
The District Administration Office and the Landscape Conservation Association are encouraging farmers to participate
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District. The Lower Nature Conservation Authority at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office and the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Landscape Conservation Association (Landschaftspflegeverband Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen e.V.) are launching a joint initiative to preserve and develop species-rich lowland hay meadows in the district. The goal is to promote biodiversity, preserve the traditional cultural landscape, and inform farmers about attractive funding opportunities through the Bavarian Contractual Nature Conservation Program (VNP).
“Through this joint initiative, we are combining nature conservation and agriculture—for the benefit of biodiversity, farmers, and our cultural landscape,” emphasizes District Administrator Ludwig Schmid.
Lowland hay meadows are among Bavaria’s most species-rich meadow habitats. They are characterized by numerous flowering plants such as meadow daisies, meadow bellflowers, and meadow knapweeds. They provide valuable habitats for many insect species, including butterflies, wild bees, and grasshoppers. These meadows were formed through extensive agricultural use. They are typically mowed twice a year starting in June, with the cuttings mainly used as hay.
Farmers who already manage species-rich hay meadows can receive funding for this through the Bavarian Contractual Nature Conservation Program. Particularly valuable meadows also serve as so-called seed-donor areas. Regional seeds are harvested there using a hand-held meadow seed collector. The seed harvest does not interfere with the agricultural use of the land.
The harvested seeds are then sown on so-called recipient plots to specifically increase biodiversity in those areas. The management of these plots in accordance with nature conservation principles can also be funded through the Contractual Nature Conservation Program.
Interested farmers can contact the Biodiversity Advisory Service or the relevant nature conservation specialist at the Lower Nature Conservation Authority for a no-obligation VNP consultation. The Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Landscape Conservation Association (Landschaftspflegeverband Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen e.V.) is responsible for organizing seed collection and distribution. Contact persons are also available there to answer questions and provide information.
The project partners invite all interested landowners in the district to participate in the initiative and work together to help preserve biodiversity and the regional cultural landscape.
Contact:
Biodiversity Advisory Service – Lower Nature Conservation Authority
Phone: 08041 505-714
Email: hannah.lauterbach@lra-toelz.de
Landscape Conservation Association Phone: 08171 4216-60
Email: markus.henning@lpv-toel-wor.de
Sabine Schmid
Press spokeswoman
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office