Enhancing Practical Solutions for Global Betterment
The Schneverdingen Cooperative Comprehensive School (KGS) has made a significant stride, becoming the largest Naturparkschule in Germany within the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park (Naturpark Lüneburger Heide). This transformation was supported by district administrator Jens Grote, mayor Meike Moog-Steffens, and Member of the German Bundestag Lars Klingbeil.
Located in a city area that makes up more than half of a nature reserve, the KGS is the sixth Naturpark-Schule in the Lueneburger Heide. Since 2016, the nature park has been cooperating with six such schools, including the KGS.
The high student number of the secondary school necessitates a limitation to the Sekundarstufe 1. However, this hasn't deterred the school's commitment to nature and environmental conservation. The KGS receives €3,000 annually for its nature and environmental projects, and last year, the Adalbert Zajadacz Foundation transferred around 70,000 euros to the KGS for similar purposes.
The school's nature projects are shared equally by the school, nature park, and district. These projects have seen the KGS engage in various activities, such as building bird and insect houses, creating a flower meadow, removing heather, rowing, and creating art from natural objects.
Class 8r, under the guidance of teacher Mark Steffens, has focused on plastic recycling, setting up collection containers for different types of plastic within the school building. Meanwhile, Class 6g, in collaboration with forester Olaf Lange, planted 2,500 beeches and oaks, although they had to prematurely abandon the reforestation action due to weather.
The Lueneburger Heide nature park collaborates with external partners such as foresters, nature conservationists, and farmers for these collaborations. The KGS has also been involved in these collaborations, working alongside these partners to address topics related to biological diversity, nature and landscape, culture and crafts, agriculture, and forestry.
The Nature Park Day will take place on the following Saturday, where the removal of heather will contribute to heath care. The KGS has even acquired a processing machine from the Precious Plastic initiative to aid in their recycling efforts.
Lars Klingbeil, Member of the German Bundestag, emphasized the societal political responsibility that the students take on with their engagement in these projects. The KGS's dedication to nature and environmental conservation is evident, with every student and teacher participating at least once a year in a nature and environmental protection action in the Lueneburger Heide.
As of now, there are 238 Naturpark-Schulen in 59 nature parks nationwide. The KGS, with its numerous awards and certificates, including "School without Racism", "Democracy School", and "Campus School of the Leuphana University", is a shining example of what can be achieved when a school and a nature park join forces for the betterment of the environment.
