The project
Between 2021 and 2027 the Biological Station will implement this project with a funding of 4.7 million euros in the district of Euskirchen in the Nordeifel region. The focus of LIFE helle Eifeltäler lies on the conservation and promotion of two threatened species of butterfly, the Violet Copper (Lycaene helle) and the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia). The habitat of both species will be restored, optimized and interconnected. For the Marsh Fritillary a (re-)introduction to the project area is planned. A largescale campaign, ‚Iridescent blue and golden – jewels of the air‘, will inform the public about the project and its goals, as well as inspire people‘s interest in the biology of the two threatened species and the ecological communities they are part of.
Key facts | |
Project partner: | Ministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Verkehr des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen und Kreis Euskirchen |
Project duration: | 2021-2027 |
Funding: | EUR 4.7 million |
Project area: | 600 km² |
Protected areas, stepping stones and corridors: | 88 km² |
„We are very proud, that Biologische Station im Kreis Euskirchen was once again able to bring such a special and prestigious conservation project to the district!” rejoices Veronika Neumann, president of the Biological Station.
The project area
Located in the northern part of the Eifel region, within the district of Euskirchen, the project area includes the local government areas of Hellenthal, Dahlem, Kall, Nettersheim, Blankenheim and the city of Schleiden with parts of Eifel Nationalpark. Work will be conducted in various conservation areas as well as localities that will serve as stepping stones or corridors.
So much money spent on two species of butterfly?
In face of the increasing extinction of insects, these two special butterfly species should be conserved and their populations protected. They also represent so-called flagship species: In conservation biology this describes an attractive animal or plant species, that evokes an emotional motivation in people to support the preservation of this species and nature around it. The implementation of conservation measures for these charismatic butterflies not only improves and protects their specific habitats, like wet meadow of low mountain ranges and hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities. The associated assemblages of plants and animals also benefit.
‘The project will have a positive impact on the biodiversity within the project area in the district of Euskirchen and beyond’ justifies Stefan Meisberger, director and scientific manager at Biologische Station, the large budget used on ‘just two butterfly species’. ‘We act well within our maxime: No protection of species without protection of their habitats.’
The project will play a significant role in curbing the extinction of insects and conserving the biological diversity in the region.
Project Competition as part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
We made it into the Top 10 in the first round of the project competition of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration!
As part of the project competition, the Bundesministerium (BMUV) and the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) are recognizing current, exemplary projects focused on the restoration, conservation, or maintenance of ecosystems. Between 2022 and 2024, five independent contest rounds will take place, each focusing on a different ecosystem complex. A jury from BMUV and BfN will select the top three projects in each round, which will be honoured and recognized on-site.
United Nations Decade Office: https://www.undekade-restoration.de/die-un-dekade/
Here is the project presentation on the United Nations Decade website: https://www.undekade-restoration.de/projekte/life-helle-eifeltaeler/
