A blossoming plant!

A neatly mowed meadow is always a joy to behold. But Stefanie Ludewig, team leader in the high-bay warehouse in Edewecht, began to wonder whether there was even more potential in the patch of land outside her window, as she watched the gardener mowing the grass. It was the same every year: Long grass, short grass, without any color or variety to delight people or animals. It seemed a shame to dedicate so much space to monoculture rather than biodiversity. She had the idea of transforming the area into a flowering meadow, inspired by MILRAM and the association Mensch.Natur.Landwirtschaft e.V. Their three-year project involves planting a mix of wild plants to transform areas into flowering meadows, a project that DMK supports as it fits with the company’s sustainability plans in Strategy 2030. Focusing on climate protection, animal welfare, biodiversity and people is a vital part of the company. These oases of green are living and feeding areas for insects, birds and small mammals. They are especially important in winter as they provide shelter for wild animals and protect creatures who hibernate when temperatures fall below zero. Now, a biotope of diversity is growing on the 2.5 hectares of land at the Edewecht plant. “I also think it’s good to show that industry is about more than just factories and concrete, that it can also be different,” says Ludewig.

Together with a small team, she took charge of the planning. Sunflower seeds and the seeds for honey plants such as phacelia were scattered for the flowering meadow, among others. They also plan to set up insect hotels, creating a paradise outside employees’ office windows. MILRAM is enthusiastic about the initiative and donated the insect hotels. Word went around about her project and a colleague who works as a beekeeper in his spare time is now planning to set up bee colonies on the site. Stefanie Ludewig is delighted that her idea met such enthusiasm and is even more motivated than before. “My in-laws have a tree nursery, so that’s also had an effect on me, of course.”

She is far from through with the planning and is now thinking of planting the fruit trees, an idea that MILRAM supports. Apple, cherry, pear, quince, plum – it is not only the local wildlife who will enjoy the fruit, but also the plant’s employees.