For the second time, Mainz is serving as a stage for nature and civic engagement during this week of action. Throughout the city, exciting events focused on preserving and promoting biodiversity invite residents to get involved. Whether through guided tours, workshops, field trips, readings, or artistic activities, residents of all ages can experience the diversity of local nature up close and rediscover ecological connections.

The situation is serious: The loss of biodiversity is one of the most threatening consequences of our way of life. According to the World Biodiversity Council, up to one million species are currently threatened with extinction—many of which could disappear irretrievably within this century. What is alarming is that, due to human influence, species extinction is occurring at least ten to a hundred times faster today than the geological average over the last ten million years.

The action week is organized by the Office for Social Responsibility and Education of the Evangelical Deanery of Mainz, representatives of the Bretzenheim Sustainability Initiative, BUND Mainz, the Parks and Environment Department of the State Capital of Mainz, and the Ober-Olm Forest and Nature Conservation Center.

The result: an impressively diverse program of events that demonstrates how many people and initiatives in Mainz are working every day to promote biodiversity and environmental protection.

The goal of the action week: to inspire people about the inestimable value of biological diversity—and to show them that everyone can make a difference. Whether on the balcony, in the garden, or right in the middle of the city.

Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environmental Department: “The immense scale of the biodiversity crisis is, unfortunately, often underestimated. This makes it all the more important that we realize that the ongoing loss of biodiversity is primarily caused by our way of life and affects us all. Nature conservation takes on special significance in cities, as biodiversity in urban areas can be higher than in heavily farmed surrounding regions. Biodiversity Week draws our attention positively to the topic of biodiversity, and I thank all stakeholders for their commitment to our environment.” 

“Biodiversity is not just a matter of nature conservation—it is the foundation of our very existence. Clean water, fertile soil, stable climate conditions: all of this depends directly on functioning ecosystems,” explains Maren Goschke of BUND Mainz.

“Those who advocate for biodiversity are not protecting ‘nature’ in the abstract—but quite concretely the very foundations of life for all of us. That is why we must act urgently!” emphasizes Miriam Heil from the Evangelical Deanery of Mainz.

On May 20 at 3 p.m., the Action Week will kick off at Mombacher Sand with Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environmental Department, Dean Andreas Klodt, and the organizers. Anyone interested is warmly invited to join us for the start of the Action Week.

Immediately afterward, there will be a wild bee safari through the Mainz Sand with a wild bee ambassador.

The opening day concludes with a choir concert at the Old Cathedral of St. Johannis at 7 p.m. featuring the “Chor für das Gute Leben” (Choir for the Good Life).

Other events Mainz residents can look forward to:

• a stadium tour with NABU through the MEWA Arena and Mainz 05’s Climate Park (May 22, 5 p.m., Bretzenheim)
• a tour of the organic vegetable plots of Solawi Mainz e.V. on the topic of “Agriculture and Biodiversity” (May 23, 10 a.m., Gonsenheim)
• Hands-on activities for children, such as “Kids Build a Buzzing Block” (May 22, 3 p.m., Old Town)
• as well as hands-on activities for families building a vertical wall as a nesting aid for insects in Laubenheim (May 23, 2 p.m.) or creating a Benjes hedge with SolawIng in Heidesheim (May 26, 2 p.m.)

There will be a variety of culinary delights at the wild herb cooking workshop with nutritionist Anja Töws at the Alte Ziegelei (May 26, 4 p.m., Bretzenheim).

Game enthusiasts will also find something to enjoy: Dieter B. is hosting a quiz night on May 26 with quizmaster Marcel on the topic of biodiversity (7 p.m., Neustadt).

The full program, featuring over 40 events in total, can be found via the QR code provided or at mainz.de/woche-artenvielfalt (opens in a new tab)

For the first time, there will be a drawing and creativity contest for children! Starting now through May 24, all children and teens between the ages of 4 and 14 are invited to get creative under the theme “My Favorite Animal or Plant from Mainz.” The artwork can be submitted to the central Anna Seghers Library during opening hours until May 24 at 2 p.m.

From May 24 through May 30, the artwork will be on display at Ober-Olmer Wald and judged by visitors.

Great prizes await the winners, who will receive them on May 31 at 2:00 p.m. during a closing event featuring music and interactive activities at the Old St. Johannis Cathedral.

In addition, a digital quiz for children, teens, and adults will be freely available via a link throughout the entire event.

For more information: mainz.de/woche-artenvielfalt  (opens in a new tab)

Most of the events are free of charge and open to the public on a donation basis.