Munich launches project to help declining sparrows and city wildlife

Munich's Department of Climate and Environmental Protection has launched a new project, "Sparrow-friendly Munich", to create long-term habitats for sparrows and many other species across the city. Numbers of house sparrows and tree sparrows in Munich have been falling markedly for years. The department plans to work with businesses, housing companies, educational institutions, associations and other public and private partners.

The sparrow is being used as an umbrella species for urban biodiversity, because measures that help it also benefit many other animals and plants. Depending on the site, these could include native hedges and shrubs, wild perennial beds, nest boxes, water points, sand baths, deadwood, more varied green spaces and green facades. Public, semi-public and private land is to be included. The aim is to create more permanent natural features in Munich and to raise awareness of the value of urban nature. The project also covers environmental education, networking and scientific monitoring.

Boris Schwartz, speaking on behalf of the head of the department, said: "The sparrow is a familiar part of our urban nature. If we improve its living conditions, we also create valuable habitats for many other species. With the 'Sparrow-friendly Munich' project, we want to bring people, organisations and businesses together and make concrete changes on the ground together. That is why we welcome enquiries from interested organisations, associations and businesses."

The first measures are being made possible by start-up funding from the Dreves Foundation. Existing city funding programmes may also be used, depending on the site and conditions.

The project's launch was planned for Friday 2 October at Bahnwärter Thiel, with street artists Inan Ercik and Angel Acevedo Alfaro of the OWB Crew. The programme included a street art workshop from 3pm to 6pm, where young people and adults could create artworks on the theme of sparrows and biodiversity, and a professional mural with a biodiversity motif on a container visible from outside. Around 150 sparrow-friendly perennials were also to be planted in several beds and smaller corners of the site.

Further events are being planned. In early December, people are due to work on nest boxes, among other activities, in cooperation with the Färberei of the Munich City District Youth Council, and further events are expected at and around the Schyrenbad. Interested organisations, associations and businesses can get in touch by email at [email protected].