North Rhine-Westphalia implements bee forests and drought-resistant gardening

In North Rhine-Westphalia, local environmental and horticultural initiatives are adapting to changing climatic conditions. In Extertal-Nösingfeld, a 2.8-hectare ‘bee forest’ established five years ago has successfully transformed a former spruce area into a biodiverse deciduous woodland. Initiated by local beekeeper Heino Rinne and implemented by forest officials, the site features approximately 4,200 trees and shrubs, including wild fruit and various oak species, specifically chosen to provide food for bees and insects.

Simultaneously, cemetery gardeners in the region are facing increased workloads due to prolonged dry periods and high temperatures. The Fachverband Friedhofsgärtner in the Landesverband Gartenbau Nordrhein-Westfalen reports that maintaining graves requires more intensive watering and strategic plant selection. To manage water usage, gardeners are prioritizing morning and evening irrigation and shifting toward drought-resistant species such as lavender, sedum, and various grasses to ensure sustainable landscape maintenance.