Hoffen project: Biotopes in the South Palatinate finally networked!

Hoffen project: Biotopes in the South Palatinate finally networked!

Herxheim, Deutschland - On June 6, 2025, the important model project “Hope” ends, which was launched in 2022. This project focuses on "Species protection in the agricultural landscape through a cooperative implementation of coordinated biotope networking measures on the Herxheim-Offenbacher solstice". The model region extends over around 4,800 hectares and includes the municipalities of Herxheim, Offenbach, Bellheim and Rülzheim. The aim of the project is the biotope protection and the preservation of endangered animal and plant species that suffer from the pressure of growing arable land and a decreasing number of companies.

Fritz Brechtel, a doctorate biologist and former district administrator, spoke in front of around 30 listeners, including representatives from authorities, agriculture, municipalities and nature conservation associations. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the various actors to ensure the success of the project. Environment Minister Katrin Eder also praised the project as a lighthouse project that is funded by the country. The results of this project should in future serve as a model for other regions in the country.

sustainable steps and cooperation

The next steps are already in planning and include areas such as Neustadt, Donnersbergkreis and the district of Bad Dürkheim, where the necessary prerequisites for similar projects have already been created. Bastian Bayer from the NVS Nature Foundation Südpfalz presented a 1.7 km long wandering corridor between Bellheim and Knittelsheim. There, green and flowering plants were planted on one side of the dirt road, while on the other hand, oats were cultivated. The total area of around seven hectares are to be managed by partner companies.

As part of the project, grass paths were also upgraded in Herxheim and flowered in Rülzheim to combine isolated habitats and to promote the gene flow between them.

biotope network and its importance

The biotope network plays a crucial role in nature conservation. According to BMU , financial resources and the securing of the composite areas in the spatial planning are essential for the implementation of such projects. A strong spatial planning system for green infrastructure is considered necessary to secure biodiversity.

The Handbook on the biotope association provides comprehensive information about the scientific, landscape planning and legal basics as well as examples of successful projects in Germany, such as re-networking in Holstein or the Green Border network between North Rhine-Westphalia and Netherlands.

The publication of the manual serves as a living document that is regularly updated and is intended to stimulate to report positive local composite projects. It also contains important information on the planning, application and financing of biotope network projects.