Short description of the LIFE+ project entitled “Vogelschutz in Streuobstwiesen”
(“Protection of Wild Birds in Traditional Orchards”)

Duration: 1.1.2009 – 31.8.2014
Financial value: approx. Euro 5.2 m, of which 50 % from the EU
Project management: Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart
Project area: 450 km², of which 150 km² are traditional orchards

The application for support from LIFE+ for the protection of endangered bird populations in the traditional orchards was filed by the Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart in close cooperation with the project partners as well as the municipalities and organisations concerned. Seven associated partners are personally and financially involved in the project. 39 municipalities participate as co-financing partners and another eight partners support the project. The biggest part of the project area is situated on the northern fringe of the Swabian Alb in the EU bird sanctuary of the Natura 2000 network. It extends from Geislingen an der Steige to Reutlingen. Another smaller interconnected part lies in the valley of the River Rems near Schorndorf and a bit further from there to the north, in the Wieslauftal valley.

LIFE+ project: Solutions for traditional orchards
The LIFE+ project aims at significantly improving and protecting the habitats of a great number of endangered bird species over the long term. The project focuses on the following target species living in traditional orchards and protected by the Birds Directive: collared flycatcher, red-backed shrike, greyheaded woodpecker, Eurasian wryneck, and woodchat shrike. Further important “leader species” in traditional orchards are: middle spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, little owl, common edstart, and tree pipit.

Picture: (c) Landesvermessungsamt BW (www.lv-bw.de)

The following approaches are being tested in the project:

• Protection and rejuvenation of the remaining tree populations
• Optimising the maintenance, management and recreational use of traditional orchards in accordance with the nature conservation objectives of Natura 2000
• Creation of alternative and new habitats for birds
• Training for “Fachwarte” (specialists in the field of fruit-growing and horticulture), land owners and employees of local communities
• Financing possibilities for Natura 2000 measures

You can get more information about the LIFE+Project in the brochure "New Ways of Traditional Orchards - Practical experience from the LIFE+Project".