District - The district office wants to encourage children to deal responsibly with nature with a campaign for wildlife protection (see box).
In our conversation, Alexander Römer, who, together with Andreas Köpferl, forms the new duo of full-time rangers in the district, explains how the campaign came about and why it specifically addresses children.
Mr. Römer, wild campers, fox feeders and cross-country bikers are mostly adults. Why are you targeting children with your campaign?
Köpferl: During our missions in the field, we find out again and again that adults know very little about nature, even about local people.
If you act unwise, we will of course speak to you.
But that's not enough in the long run.
In order to really change something, it has to become a matter of course again that you don't make a fire in nature, don't camp and clean up your paper.
Who do we start with?
With the kids!
We can still inspire you if we pack it in a playful way.
Do you want the pictures that children paint for the campaign to encourage them to discover nature?
Römer: The task is to paint the favorite animal with its favorite food.
For this, children have to learn the connections that this animal needs.
Some will surely also draw the habitat.
When it comes to the eagle, there might be a mountain or a fawn.
In this way, the children learn in a playful way what is important in nature.
Our hope is that they will pass this knowledge on to the next generations and that we will create more awareness of nature.
Is this the only way to save nature in the Mangfall Mountains?
Köpferl: I haven't seen as many people as this winter in the Mangfall Mountains before, even in the best of weather.
The frequency is amazing, even in summer.
There are few other areas near the Alps that have 1.5 million people on their doorstep, who can be in the mountains in 45 minutes by train.
This is special and we have to be careful.
The number of those who make tents or campfires has increased in recent years.
Why do the bans help so little?
Römer: Consciousness has to be anchored in people's minds in a sympathetic way, not on the prohibitive rail.
That's why we're always looking for ways to reach people.
We always come back to our little ones.
If the child says "Dad, you've lost paper, please take it with you", which dad says no?
It's correct. Still, it's upside down, isn't it?
Köpferl: We agree on that.
But children are more direct with nature.
For example, you don't care about political ulterior motives.
They are only interested in: the insects need this habitat, the birds of prey this, the deer this.
It's all about the thing, nature.
That's the beauty.
That's why we have to win them.
What if that doesn't work in the long term?
Römer: When I see what has happened in the Berchtesgaden National Park, where thousands of people have exploited a hotspot in such a way as to take photos there, something is going wrong.
So the hotspot was blocked.
If we're not careful, I'm sure the rule will be to lock things down to keep them safe from people.
I hope we can avoid that.
You can also read about this: Planned wildlife sanctuary in the Mangfall Mountains: "The best closure is the one that nobody notices" and the Miesbach district introduces new rangers - refusals and fines are possible: "Are not just the people of Munich"
The painting campaign:
Children can paint their favorite local wild animal with their favorite dish until the end of the summer holidays and
send it
to
pressestelle@lra-mb.bayern.de.
All pictures will be published on the district's Facebook page.
Further information is available at www.landkreis-miesbach.de/wildtierschutz.
There the young participants can also download a mini ranger badge that identifies them as expert conservationists.
A near-natural surprise awaits the draftsman of the best picture.
