MORE NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY IN THE GARDEN
Gardening organically and naturally – for pleasure and a love of the environment. Every year, species and habitats for flora and fauna disappear in Switzerland. In order to bring more nature and biodiversity back into gardens, we need people who are committed to doing so, people who are willing to transform their gardens and balconies into a paradise for wild bees, birds, butterflies and the like.
Bioterra – publisher of the popular garden magazine of the same name – is the leading organisation for organic and natural gardening in Switzerland; a gardening community with over 16,500 members and 30 regional groups, to which a good 140 organic market gardens and natural garden farms are also affiliated. The "Gartenkind" project with over 60 gardens is Bioterra's commitment to future generations.
"The magazine offers a cornucopia of organic, nature-oriented garden inspirations – among other things, you will find articles about gardeners and their passions, tips for growing herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruit, ideas about what can be grown in pots, as well as information about various gardening courses, excursions and lectures offered by our regional groups throughout German-speaking Switzerland," explains editor-in-chief Christine Kunovits.
Bioterra allows its members to check with knowledgeable gardening consultants if they find themselves stuck in a rut.
What Bioterra does
Bioterra shares expertise on the practice of organic and natural gardening through various channels in order to inspire and empower as many people as possible. Thanks to their commitment, more and more gardens are being consciously worked and designed according to ecological criteria.
Every year, their regional groups offer interested people around 250 gardening courses on organic and natural gardening. To this end, they have already trained approximately 100 people as course leaders, and support the voluntary commitment of the regional groups with financial contributions.
In the Gartenkind gardens, children learn how healthy and organic vegetables and fruit grow and what it takes to grow them. In this way, Bioterra is sowing the seeds for a new generation that will engage with the topic of organic and natural gardening at an early age, and can change and shape the future in a sustainable way.
"It is important to us to promote an appreciation for nature and biodiversity even among the youngest generation. In my opinion, the best way to do this is through active experience and learning. The Gartenkind project provides direct access for children to gardens and thus to the cycles of nature", says project manager Nina Kunz.
Every year, around 900 children attend one of these seasonal courses. Children can also lend a hand under the guidance of Bioterra experts in those gardens open to the public, such as the Gurtengärtli,
Bioterra actively encourages nurseries and gardening businesses to join their ranks by converting to organic and being as close to natural as possible. Over 140 farms already represent our values with their hearts and souls, allowing end consumers to benefit from a more sustainable offer. Through their community, Bioterra also actively connects professionals with leisure gardeners – to the benefit of both.
As a cooperation partner of the "Natural Gardening and Landscaping" course at the ZHAW in Wädenswil and the "Organic Gardening - Plant Production in Harmony with Nature" course at the Horticultural School in Hünibach, Bern, Bioterra also promotes the transfer of know-how in the field of education and training.
A huge thanks to Bioterra!
