Hans Fertl retires after 40 tireless years as head of the nature conservation working group in Walpertskirchen.
Beate Aust is his successor.
Walpertskirchen
– Farewell and a new beginning: For 40 years, and thus half of his life, Hans Fertl was the founder and chairman of the nature conservation working group in Walpertskirchen.
In August he celebrates his 80th birthday.
The new chairwoman is SPD municipal councilor and 3rd mayor Beate Aust.
She is assisted by Deputy Christian Schmid, Treasurer Hans Ippisch, Secretary Katrin Schuster and the trio of assessors Hans Pircher, Peter Kazmierczak and Rosi Ippisch.
Max Huber continues to act as cash auditor.
There was a big thank you for the long-standing second chairwoman Helene Weber-Ippisch, who did not stand for election again.
Whether planting, care work, bird and species protection projects, the annual commitment for the amphibians or lectures - under Fertl's tireless leadership, a lot was suggested and implemented.
There were also flowers for his wife Christl, who actively supported her husband and the AK and used to be a member of the board.
In her laudatory speech, Beate Aust went into the "intensive activities" of the outgoing club boss.
40 years ago, Fertl promoted nature conservation in the community, even against initial resistance, when it was still a foreign word - and "followed it with backbone".
Thanks to his great commitment and knowledge, the outskirts of the village have been greened and many "areas worth protecting" have been created.
Aust also referred to "the heart of our community" - the so-called Radlgassn, which characterizes the townscape as a green oasis.
Mayor Franz Hörmann (CSU) also paid tribute to the commendable work of Fertl, who also worked on the municipal council for 24 years, and announced that Fertl would be awarded the municipal citizen's medal for his services.
The numerous members who attended thanked their long-time chairman with a standing ovation.
The honoree thanked everyone who had accompanied and supported him over the many years, as well as the community for the good cooperation.
During his work he felt himself to be “part of the landscape”.
"I didn't just have a large garden, but the whole community." It's a nice feeling to see trees on every corner that you planted yourself.
The former swear word "Brozentrager" has long since become an honorific, said Fertl with a grin and drew a thoroughly positive balance: "It was fun." He fulfilled a great wish of his successor and wants to continue to be available for educational hikes in the nearby area and pass on his knowledge.
In addition, a groundbreaking change in the statutes was unanimously approved at the meeting, which transformed the AK Naturschutz into a registered association.
This is important not least for reasons of liability law, Aust explained.
In addition, family memberships are to be converted to individual memberships.
It is also planned to establish a regular get-together in the Büchlmann inn - as a substitute for the private meetings with members, which were not possible due to the pandemic.
The 40th anniversary of the founding, which is to be celebrated this year, will probably take place in the garden of the Aust family.
There are also plans for awards.
In addition, the new management team wants to continue organizing trips and lectures.
In the long term, Beate Aust has a project that is “very close to her heart”: leasing her own piece of land in order to create an orchard in cooperation with the local horticultural association.
She thinks that would enrich the community “in terms of nature conservation”.
Vroni Vogel
