From grey to green: Bocholt's "Business and Biodiversity" funding programme is making a difference

The Bocholt funding programme "Business and Biodiversity" supports local businesses in making their premises more environmentally friendly. A recent example in the industrial estate shows how a former gravel area can be transformed into an insect-friendly perennial garden. The town of Bocholt covers up to 50 per cent of the eligible costs of the redevelopment.

The town of Bocholt is actively committed to preserving biodiversity. Through the "Business and Biodiversity" funding programme, local businesses receive financial and advisory support to transform sealed or unused open spaces into valuable habitats for insects and birds.

"The aim of the funding programme is to create new refuges for nature, particularly in densely built-up industrial and commercial areas, and to improve the local microclimate in a sustainable way", says Julia Gottwald, who is coordinating the "Green Instead of Grey" project for the town of Bocholt.

The premises of the Busch printing works in Bocholt's industrial park demonstrate how such a transformation can be achieved in practice. Where a high-maintenance gravel area once dominated the scene, it is now a hive of activity. On the initiative of the management, the stone surface was completely removed, the ground was professionally prepared and planted with drought-resistant, native wild plants.

The newly created perennial bed is already attracting numerous bees, bumblebees and butterflies, proving that ecological enhancement and a well-maintained appearance go hand in hand.

Such a transformation can be achieved quickly: within just two days, the area - measuring around 300 square metres - was completely transformed. To prepare the soil optimally, four skips of old gravel and plastic sheeting were first removed. Following soil improvement with 25 tonnes of lava granulate, specialists planted around 800 native perennials, which now form the basis for the new insect paradise.

"Bocholt-based businesses wishing to redesign their sites in a nature-friendly way can submit a straightforward grant application to us and thus also contribute to biodiversity - whilst at the same time enhancing the visual appeal of their commercial premises", explains Bocholt's Head of Urban Planning, Dave Welling. Grants cover up to 50 per cent of the costs incurred for removing the hard surface and the subsequent replanting.

Full details of the grant scheme, the applicable guidelines and further practical examples are available on the city's website at www.bocholt.de/business-und-biodiversitaet.