LBV Recognizes 14 Farms for Protecting Curlew

The Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz in Bayern (LBV) has awarded 14 Bavarian agricultural businesses for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding the curlew. The curlew population in Bavaria has faced severe decline due to the drainage of moors and wetlands, as well as intensive fertilization of meadows.

Farmers are adapting their mowing schedules, creating shallow water areas, and protecting nests to aid the species' survival. LBV Chairman Dr. Norbert Schäffer highlighted at the ceremony that agriculture and nature conservation can work hand-in-hand, offering a future for the threatened curlew in the cultural landscape.

The recognized farms are located across several Bavarian districts, including Donau-Ries, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Fürstenfeldbruck, Starnberg, Berchtesgadener Land, Straubing-Bogen, Regensburg, and Ansbach. Notably, the collaboration of four farms in the Ampermoos area has helped increase the breeding population of curlews to ten to eleven pairs.

The ceremony also acknowledged the long-term commitment of individual farmers. For example, Rupert Ritzer has collaborated with LBV for decades in the Feilenmoos region. Similar initiatives are underway in Neuburg-Schrobenhausen and Berchtesgadener Land, where farms have improved habitats for the curlew by maintaining moist areas and protecting nesting sites.

These awarded farms demonstrate that efficient agriculture can successfully integrate nature conservation measures, ensuring the survival of endangered species for the future.