The Biodiversity Project in Austria
But we're not content with that! Our new joint goal is to create a total of 2030 habitats in Austria's largest hay milk region – the Flachgau and Mondseeland – by 5.000, to become Austria's rural biodiversity region and support the existence and growth of biodiversity in Austria.
Habitats
of biodiversity
5.000 HABITATS for biodiversity
Biodiversity is very much in the hands of our farmers. And they prove every day that agriculture and biodiversity can go hand in hand. Every farm has corners and areas that are little used for agriculture. These can be piles of old wood or strips of flowers.
Such near-natural habitats must be promoted and preserved. We are trying to create this together with our farmers. This should lead to the creation of a large agriculturally used biodiversity region in our hay-milk region. Wild bees, spiders, ground beetles, and other insects perform important ecological functions. They provide food for many other animals. They pollinate plants and are thus invaluable because they ensure our human food supply. Three-quarters of the world's most important crops depend on the pollination of a wide variety of insects.
The smallest insects can sometimes only cover distances of up to 100 metres and therefore need a wide variety of closely networked habitats in order to be able to cover these distances.
latest blog posts
#biodiversity
Practical workshop “From pasture to animal health”
The pasture serves as a natural habitat for our cows, providing not only high-quality feed for milk production but also strengthening the animals' health and musculoskeletal system.
Practical workshop "Natural courtyard design: pollinator- and insect-friendly balcony and ornamental plants"
We can create habitats for biodiversity not only in our meadows, but also in our small natural spaces such as (farm) gardens, balconies or around the house.
Practical workshop “Plants as signposts: About indicator plants and what they tell us about the soil”
Plants are important indicators in our agriculture. Indicator plants give us a picture of existing conditions in nature. But which indicator plants tell us what?
A look behind the scenes: Practical workshop “Good living and working on the farm”
What defines a good life together on a farm? How can traditional values and modern approaches harmonize and thus create a fulfilling life on the farm, but also in society as a whole?
Proud of its recognition as a World Heritage Site
Have you heard? Our beloved hay milk was recently declared an agricultural world heritage site by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)! For us, as hay milk producers from the very beginning...
Our summer interns
Regina, Elena and Paul, we are three students and did an internship at the WOERLE cheese dairy in summer 2023. For five weeks we dealt a lot with the…
Practical workshop "Bat - We build a shelter for the night hunters"
The fascination of bats – you rarely see them, and usually only for a short time. Although there are so many and different types of them, many know little about…
Food Trends 2023
How will we eat and drink in 2023? What is the industry talking about? And what role does cheese play in this? We have the answers. 😊
Practical workshop "Soil life in grassland"
Our soils play a critical role in producing food, ensuring clean water, storing carbon and many other important functions. But what does the earthworm have to do with it...
Practical workshop "Wild plants in grassland"
Local wild herbs, herbs and spices are not only culinary enrichments for our palates, but also play an important role in the nutrition of our cows. But how do you recognize them and...
Practical workshop "From the meadow to the plate"
Caraway, sage and quendel: species-rich meadows are rich in treasures! Many herbs have precious ingredients and have a health-promoting effect on animals and humans!
Farm walk: economy and diversity
The biodiversity ambassador Andreas Badinger shows on his farm that biodiversity and profitability can go hand in hand and tirelessly imparts his knowledge at various events.
Practical workshop “We are building a beetle castle”
Imagining a beetle castle is certainly not easy for some, but if you take a closer look at the topic, it quickly becomes clear how important beetles and, above all, a…
Our new icons on the packaging
"WOERLE continues to work"... ...for a future suitable for grandchildren for the benefit of people, animals, the environment and the necessary economy, as the basis for natural cheese quality. 130 years of WOERLE mean 130 years in…
Hay milk: 5 reasons why it is better for the consumer
Is there hay in hay milk? Quite a few have already asked themselves this question. However, the term hay milk refers to the diet of the dairy cows - in summer they only eat...
Our project "1.000 life rafts for biodiversity"
Protect natural areas for insects and preserve diversity. In 2019, WOERLE launched the flagship project "Biodiversity in Farmers' Hands" together with their farming families. Companies, farmers and external experts work together with…
Ground-nesting wild bees & Co
No functioning ecosystem without ground-nesting insects. Not only the WOERLE farmers know this, but also the young farmers.
Practical workshop "More than just a sloppy strip"
A feast for the eyes for some, just a "sloppy" strip for others - but a flower strip is much more than that. It offers a habitat for numerous animals and plants. Yet…
Cooperation for biodiversity
For a long time, motivated WOERLE farming families have been working together with our cheese dairy and external experts as part of the project "Biodiversity in Farmers' Hands" to counteract the dramatic decline in native animal and plant species....
Hedgerows as modern agroforestry systems
The "Hecke" research project with the HBLA Ursprung continues. The research hedge planted in spring 2021 as an agroforestry system was expanded in October as part of school lessons.
Practical workshop "Nestkastenwerkstatt"
As part of the "Nistkastenwerkstatt" practical workshop, wagtails, redstarts and other native breeding birds were carpentered, screwed and built.
Practical workshop "The hidden life in the dung"
Many gardeners, but especially our WOERLE milk suppliers, know that cow manure is a valuable natural fertilizer. But it's not just beneficial for the growth and prosperity of plants in the pasture...
Insects from small to large for small and large
Regardless of whether you were a farmer or not, everyone took part in the insect check and was able to learn a lot about flora and fauna on agricultural land from the expert Barbara Depisch.
The life rafts in the hands of interns
Young interns are supporting the life raft project again this year. They are looking for valuable areas in Flachgau and Mondseeland, of which they take impressive pictures and videos.
Practical workshop "Planting a natural calendar hedge"
Some of us know the nursery rhyme: January, February, March, April - the annual clock never stands still... In our everyday life we divide the year into four seasons. Spring Summer,…
Practical workshop “Traditional vs. digital plant identification”
A large number of plants thrive on extensively used meadows and the question often arises: “What actually grows so beautifully there?” Everywhere in nature you can always find…
WOERLE & HBLA Ursprung start sustainable research project
As part of the extensive sustainability strategy, WOERLE has now taken the next step. In addition to the farmers, the cooperation with the HBLA Ursprung also wants to target the next generation...
Woerle rewards farmers for CO₂ savings
Under the title "WOERLE continues to work", a comprehensive sustainability project for biodiversity was initiated in the Henndorf private cheese dairy in 2020. A number of measures have already been implemented since then. This year they lay the…
Does the honey bee have nothing to do with biodiversity in winter?
Even in the icy winter, hay milk cows are well protected and don't have to worry about getting enough food. The Woerle dairy farmers give you only the best feed made from sun-dried, plant-rich hay. Yet…
Indian Balsam
Some beekeepers also see a benefit in Indian balsam. The inflorescence is said to be insect friendly. The pink flowers, which are in clusters and bloom from early June to…
The garden as a life raft
It is often believed that one cannot support biodiversity as an individual, but balconies and gardens are particularly suitable life rafts for animals and insects. Everyone can in their garden…
Practical workshop "design flower strips consciously"
A diverse and species-rich nature has numerous benefits for us humans. It can provide us with clean air, pure drinking water, raw materials, but also fertile soil and food. Pollination and…
Practical workshop "Cairns with quality of life"
While we are enjoying the summer in a sunny corner of the garden, we sometimes have company without us noticing: a sand lizard is sunbathing extensively on a warm, large root. You used to meet the…
1.000 islands of biodiversity
Our hay milk meadows are naturally a paradise of biodiversity - the basis of all life. In order to further promote this, we want to work together with our farmers and consumers by 2030...
Presentation of the sustainability project "Woerle continues to work"
Grazing cows, blooming meadows and happy farmers. On the property of the Schweighofer family, the Henndorfer Käserei Woerle is presenting its new project, which bears the name "Woerle continues to work". By 2030…
Where have they gone? Do insects hibernate?
Where are butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies and grasshoppers in winter?
The Lighthouse – Our meadows are alive
The small-structured landscape at our farms is the ideal basis for the habitats of wild bees, other insects and small animals. A mosaic of different soil types and different landscape elements is becoming more and more...
The beginning - The wild bees
We all probably know butterflies in our stomachs, but will they still be seen on the hay flower meadow in the future? In addition to butterflies and many other flower-seeking insects, there are also…
Biodiversity in the hands of farmers
While domestic gardens show more and more crushed stone and gravel in the most dazzling colors and grain sizes or work on a lawn area that is as flawless as possible all year round, the criteria for perfect…
Inventory of biodiversity
It is not enough for our farmers to rely on the special features and the useful for the biodiversity on the farm. They also want measures to promote biodiversity...
Into the species-rich spring with bees, bumblebees & co
Spring is just around the corner. The world lights up, everything becomes colourful. We are happy about the first snowdrops, crocuses and hyacinths that are sticking their heads out of the ground. Yet…
Times when there are no hay blossoms – this is how the wild bees overwinter
When it's freezing cold outside and the snow is falling, we humans like to warm ourselves up in the comfort of our own home and enjoy the coziness. The dairy cows are good in the cold months…
WOERLE dairy farmers are consciously committed to more biodiversity
Abandoned piles of wood, old fruit trees, strips of flowers or seldom mowed embankments - around the farm there is an incredibly large, often unconscious and yet valuable variety of life!
Hay milk farmers tell
From tufts of grass to living paradise
The cows of the Woerle dairy farmers are masters of natural landscape management. For example, if they bite or rub against trees, deadwood is formed and when walking in the meadow, depressions in the ground are formed. Exactly…
Stories from the hay milk summer
It's the beginning of autumn. Even if some of you will miss the warm summer days and the dip in the pleasantly refreshing streams or lakes, only to have an ice cream on the…
Medicinal herbs from the hay milk meadow
Dandelion, buckhorn and stinging nettle: meadow herbs are not weeds, but provide the wow effect in salads, smoothies, pesto and soups. In addition, they often have positive health properties. Woerle farmer Christine Seiler…
How our hay milk farmers help the wild bees
The healthy and nutritious feed for our cows comes from lush meadows as the basis for the good milk from which the best hay milk cheese is made. 85% of all agricultural yields depend on…
The Salzburg Lake District, our home
Take a walk on one of the many themed trails in the morning, cycle on an excellently developed network of cycle paths in the afternoon and jump into one of the four lakes in the afternoon - if you visit the Salzburg Lake District...
The first mowing
"The first cut is something very special." Such sentences are heard from hay milk farmers when they talk about the hay cut. But why? What's it all about?
The Eldorado for insects
Today, half of the more than 700 wild bee species that live here are threatened. Butterflies are also increasingly endangered: Of the approx. 4.000 native butterfly species, all butterfly species and the most important 800…
The hay milk cow, the gourmet among the cows
What the diet of a hay-milk cow looks like and why hay-milk cheese tastes better than other cheeses
Anyone can contribute!
We are looking for your natural structures from 1m2. It doesn't matter whether it's a flowering area, herb lawn, wild corner, pile of wood or stones, wet or dry biotope, vegetable or herb bed, native flowers, perennials, hedges or fruit trees and berry bushes - the more different structures there are, the more ecologically valuable. It is also important to avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
In order to evaluate your created habitats, we need one to six relevant photos. The project is being scientifically supported by the University of Salzburg.
Be there!
With your help, we would like to raise awareness of existing and newly created natural structures in our region. Together, we would like to demonstrate how much awareness of biodiversity already exists in our region and how this awareness will grow in the coming years.
To document this development, we will graphically represent all existing and newly created habitats in Flachgau and Mondseeland, along with their distances, on a digital map. Each reported habitat will be anonymously marked on our digital map with a flower symbol and photos.
