The term biodiversity has been on everyone's lips at the latest since the referendum on “biodiversity” last year.
But the word does not have a positive connotation for everyone.
Since then, many farmers and foresters feel they are the only culprits in the pillory - a situation to which the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests (AELF) in Holzkirchen is now specifically responding.
Holzkirchen
- With an open series of lectures, land users, conservationists and consumers should come together to talk.
In an interview, Elisabeth Kitzeder, Head of Consulting and Education at the AELF, explains what the “Holzkirchner Lecture Series” should achieve.
Ms. Kitzeder, a series of lectures aimed at promoting biodiversity - how did that come about?
First and foremost, our goal is to promote dialogue and understanding for one another with the series of lectures.
At the AELF, in the course of the “Biodiversity” referendum, we noticed that a lot is talked about one another on the subject of biodiversity, but hardly with one another.
Many farmers and foresters did not feel that they were heard.
We don't just want to lead the discussion within the two groups, but rather open up the topic to the outside world and thus start a critical dialogue.
The new series of lectures is intended to offer an opportunity for all those involved, farmers, foresters, nature conservationists - generally interested citizens - to come into an exchange.
That is why we would like to invite everyone interested in biodiversity to attend the lectures, ask questions and join the discussion.
"We would like to examine biodiversity from different perspectives"
There are four lectures with different topics.
How were these developed?
At the AELF, the Agriculture and Forestry departments were involved in organizing the series of lectures.
We asked ourselves in advance: Who do we want to hear?
Which expert has something to transport?
We would like to shed light on the concept of biodiversity from different perspectives: from those of agriculture and forestry, but also from that of society.
The dates of the new lecture series
The "Holzkirchner Lecture Series" takes place on four dates with these topics:
Tuesday, October 13th:
"Agriculture after the referendum - what has already happened and will continue to do so" with Dr.
Anette Freibauer from the State Institute for Agriculture (LfL) in Freising;
Tuesday, October 20:
“Step by step - can stepping stone concepts secure the diversity of forest species?” With Ulrich Mergner, forest manager in Ebrach in the Steigerwald;
Wednesday, November 11th:
"Biodiversity Loss - Status, Causes and Possible Solutions" with Prof. Dr.
Wolfgang Weißer, Chair for Terrestrial Ecology at the Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan;
Wednesday, November 18:
"City versus Country: Real Conflicts, False Opposites and Possible Solutions from an Ethical Perspective" with Prof. Dr.
Thomas Potthast, Chair for Ethics, Theory and History of Biosciences at the University of Tübingen.
The lectures start at
7.30 p.m. at Gasthof Neuwirt, Tölzer Straße 112 in Hartpenning
.
Due to the current Corona regulations, it is necessary to register for participation at the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry on 0 80 24/4 60 39-0 or by email to poststelle@aelf-hk.bayern.de for every event.
With the choice of speakers you can of course influence the positions on the respective topic.
But that is exactly what we do not want.
Our aim was to get speakers who would enable an open, critical and yet constructive discussion.
I think we managed to do that quite well.
In Professor Potthast from the University of Tübingen, for example, we have someone who, on the part of environmental ethics, addresses the question of whether there is really a conflict between town and country?
What are the reasons that town and country have diverged so much?
It's an incredibly exciting topic.
If you compare how agriculture is depicted in picture books and what it really is like.
They don't go together and that is irritating.
"It's not about blaming someone"
What do you expect from an open, critical discourse?
This is how you find the sore points.
As I said, it's not about blaming someone.
It's about discussing topics, hearing other opinions, maybe even understanding other opinions and creating a neutral basis.
Perhaps this will result in points that we can build on together.
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Elisabeth Kitzeder is Head of Education and Consulting at the AELF in Holzkirchen.
© tp
You say that farmers and foresters see themselves in the pillory.
What positions do consumers and citizens take from your experience?
We keep getting calls and complaints, especially when a beautiful tree is felled, all the meadows of a village are mowed in one day or manure is removed on the only good weather day.
It is also asked whether this is right.
If we then explain the legal and, above all, technical contexts and backgrounds, we always succeed in gaining a little more mutual understanding.
People are often very grateful for that.
"Conviction often makes a difference"
How much can a dialogue bring if the EU is defining the legal framework with its guidelines?
First of all, appreciation for the other person.
There are legal requirements that you have to adhere to.
But they do not necessarily stand in the way of biodiversity.
In my opinion, everyone can do their part.
Every company has room to maneuver and can do something.
For example, you can cultivate an unattractive meadow more extensively.
The question then is: do you really need a third, fourth or fifth cut?
The counter-question is often: Who will pay me that?
Of course, it's about cultivating land.
But there have been various marketing channels in the Oberland that go in new directions.
They have to be tried out and developed further.
And with regard to the legal framework, one has to say: conviction often makes a difference, even beyond legal requirements.
How great is the willingness of farmers and foresters to break new ground?
If you look at the structures in the districts of Miesbach / Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen with those in the rest of Bavaria, then there is no reason to paint it black.
A process of change is under way, and a large part is ready to question and, if necessary, adjust.
But it is necessary to rethink society as a whole.
All in all, we need more appreciation for the work of farmers and foresters, more understanding for others and, overall, more appreciation for dealing with nature.