Orchards in the Wetterau: harvest time for everyone!

Orchards in the Wetterau: harvest time for everyone!

The orchards of the Wetterau are more than just a picturesque backdrop - they have been a defining part of the region for centuries. These unique landscapes not only serve as refuges for numerous animals and plants, but also provide many regional fruits that enrich our tradition. A new project called “Wetterau Harvest(s)” aims to raise awareness of these valuable areas and at the same time invite citizens to actively participate.

Thanks to the generous support of almost 50,000 euros from the Sparkasse Oberhessen Foundation, new information boards will be set up in the municipalities of the Wetterau district. These will not only mark the areas with fruit trees whose fruits can be harvested free of charge by citizens, but will also provide information about the importance of the orchards. District Administrator Jan Weckler underlines the role of these meadows in the identity of the Wetterau people, while Ulrich Kaßburg, chairman of the savings bank, praises the citizens' great commitment to nature conservation. Mayor Dr. Isabell Tammer from Münzenberg is pleased about the installation of an information board in her city.

A project with vision

Launched in Karben in 2021, “Wetterau Harvest(s)” aims to recognize and use the potential of the orchards in the Wetterau district. The effort will be expanded to all cities and towns in the region by 2029. Many of the fruit trees that grow on municipal land have so far been little used. This causes the delicious fruits to rot and go unused. The project therefore aims to encourage citizens to harvest the healthy fruits themselves or to process them into jam and juice.

In the cities and communities involved, the fruit trees - including apples, pears, cherries, plums, mirabelle plums and walnuts - were marked with yellow dots or crosses. This way, citizens know where they can get involved. However, caution is advised: entering the meadows and harvesting the fruit is at your own risk. The Nature Conservation Fund and the communities hope that citizens will treat the trees and meadows responsibly.

A sign for the future

The commitment to these valuable areas also makes an important contribution to strengthening biodiversity in the region. According to Franka Hensen, managing director of the Wetterau Nature Conservation Fund, the funding from the Sparkasse represents a real milestone for the project. After all, these orchards are more than just apples and pears - they are a piece of nature that needs to be protected in order to enable future generations to enjoy the beauty and enjoyment of the regional fruits.

What remains is an invitation to all citizens: go out, harvest, discover and enjoy the diversity that our orchards have to offer. Not only the healthy fruits are very popular, but also the shared commitment to a responsible approach to nature.

For more information about the project and the participating cities and municipalities, details can be found on the website Wetterau Nature Conservation Fund to find. Those too FNP reports comprehensively on the initiative and its progress.