Agriculture meets green spaces – seeds on your doorstep
The aim of this climate change adaptation project is to collect regional seed from extensively managed flowering and nutrient-poor meadows and to sow it on local green spaces.
A so-called ‘seed collector’ is used for this purpose. This device enables seeds to be harvested from species-rich meadows, thereby producing high-quality seed that is adapted to regional climate and soil conditions. Although the purchase of the seed collector was expensive, the project could not be carried out without this equipment. The collector remains the property of KLAR! Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park and is also available to farmers and other interested parties in the region.
The initiative not only creates visually appealing and ecologically valuable flowering areas, but also contributes to promoting biodiversity. At the same time, valuable knowledge about the harvesting, propagation and use of regional seeds is passed on to local authorities, farmers and regional stakeholders.
In terms of climate change adaptation, the project makes a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the KLAR! region Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. Green spaces sown with regional seeds are more resilient, more stable and, compared to other landscaping designs, significantly more efficient in terms of water consumption and maintenance requirements. The use of regional seeds and the creation of communal flowering areas therefore make an important contribution to the climate-resilient and sustainable design of public green spaces
FACTS:
Location: KLAR! Ötscher-Tormäuer and Steirische Eisenwurzen
Status: ongoing since 2024
Funding programme: KLAR! - supported by the Climate and Energy Fund
Type of measure: Research and development
Alpine Convention sectoral objectives: Ecosystems & biodiversity
But how exactly does the whole thing work?
1. Selection and collection of donor sites
In collaboration with the KLAR! Steirische Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark, a meadow seed harvester – known as an ‘E-Beetle’ – was purchased. This machine enables the gentle harvesting of regional seeds and forms the foundation for the entire project.
As a first step, suitable donor sites were selected according to defined criteria with the support of an expert (Grünes Handwerk). In early summer 2026, two such areas were harvested in each KLAR! region. The harvested seed was then prepared and professionally dried for further processing. Drying took place in a dry, sunny and windless location. To ensure even drying and preserve the quality of the seed, the harvested crop was turned regularly.
2. Sieving and packaging of the seeds
Once the drying process was complete, the seeds were sieved by staff at the Nature Park. During this process, the seeds were separated from any plant debris and other organic material that had been collected with them, in order to obtain the purest possible seed mixture. The seeds were then properly packed into suitable sacks and stored until they were ready for sowing.
3. Sowing on municipal sites
At the same time, public land was being sought in the eight municipalities of the two KLAR! regions in order to sow the processed regional seed and create species-rich flowering areas suited to the local environment. The use of regional seed ensures that the plants are optimally adapted to local site and climatic conditions. In total, at least four new flowering areas using regional seed are to be established by 2027.
4. Training and professional development courses: Autumn 2026/Spring 2027
A key component of the initiative is the sharing of knowledge and practical experience. In collaboration with the KLAR! Steirische Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark, training sessions are being organised for municipal works department staff and local authority employees. These sessions cover the professional establishment, maintenance and long-term development of species-rich meadows. At the same time, the events will promote the exchange of experiences and networking between the two KLAR! regions.
In addition, information and training sessions are planned for members of the public who are interested. The aim is to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to successfully establish and maintain flowering areas in both private and public spaces. This will raise awareness of the importance of regional seeds and measures that promote biodiversity amongst a wide audience, whilst supporting the sustainable implementation of such projects in the region.
