Contained within the scope of forthcoming environmental regulations set for the year 2025, the implementation of protective barriers is mandated.

The Environmental and Nature Office in the city of Gießen has unveiled the program for the upcoming 2025 Nature Conservation Hikes. The series promises an exciting exploration of the city's diverse flora and fauna, with a mix of guided tours and lectures.

A Rich Line-up of Events

The program kicks off on April 29 with a lecture on the Asian hornet, delivered by Rein Jahn, the Asian hornet coordinator for the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG). This will be followed by a series of ten varied hikes and two lectures on invasive species.

On June 1, the fauna of the Swan and New Pond will be presented. A bike hike along the southern Gießen city border is scheduled for June 6. On August 29th, Jan Garotti from the city's garden office will report on the flora in urban spaces.

Expert-led Tours and Lectures

Professor Ute Windisch will introduce participants to the fascinating world of lichens and explain how they serve as early warning systems for environmental changes on October 10th. On August 24th, biologist and photographer Hans Bahmer will guide a limited tour through the botanical garden, focusing on insects.

Mushroom expert Pedro Hafermann will lead separate mushroom hikes on September 6th and 28th, focusing on the colorful diversity of mushrooms and introducing new species beyond the popular edible ones. These hikes are suitable for families and are limited to 20 people, requiring prior registration with the environmental office.

Special Events and Guest Speakers

On May 11, the fauna of the waters along the riverside will be presented. On May 17, there will be a walk along the Schifffenberg, focusing on native herbs in their natural habitats. On October 12th, the nature conservation tours will conclude with a guided tour on the topic of "Forest, Wildlife, and Birds" at the Academic Forest Garden. Annalena Gassmann will present real birds of prey, and Maren Kettwig of the Working Group on Wildlife Research will give a lecture on the Eurasian otter.

On September 7th, Professor Dr. Encarnação will discuss the ecological significance of the quarries in the Philosophenwald and the hunting behavior at the Schwanenteich, giving an insight into the life of bats. Families are welcome to join and watch the bats in their evening flight. The tour may be postponed in case of rain.

How to Get Involved

The program can be requested by email at umweltamt@giessen.de and will soon be available at the Environmental and Nature Office in the Town Hall at Berliner Platz 1, as well as at the Tourist Information and in the district offices. An interactive map is provided for an overview of the tours by the Environmental and Nature Office.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about and appreciate the natural wonders of Gießen. Mark your calendars and get ready to embark on an exciting journey through the city's flora and fauna with the 2025 Nature Conservation Hikes!