Pupils build nesting boxes and create habitats for birds and insects

During a project week at Ernst-Abbe-Gymnasium in Jena, pupils in grades 6 to 10 demonstrated their craftsmanship and got involved in nature: they built ten nesting boxes for native bird species - using traditional tools and without any electricity.

The initiative combined practical learning with active environmental protection. It was led by Carolin Steiner and Stefan Schießl, both teachers at Ernst-Abbe-Gymnasium.

"We wanted to show that you can also achieve a lot with conventional tools and strengthen both manual skills and environmental awareness in the process," explains Schießl, who is also a member of the ornithological specialist group at NABU Jena.

The wood used was provided by the Jena City Forestry Office, while NABU contributed tools and expertise.

Nesting boxes for the forum natura nature experience center

As a thank you for the donation of wood, the pupils built two nesting boxes for the forum natura nature experience center of the city forestry office. The remaining boxes were hung up on the Abbe-Gymnasium school grounds, where they serve as breeding grounds for great tits, among others.

"There are now around ten nesting boxes for birds and batson the forum naturasite ," explained Carolina Reinhold, an employee of the City Forestry Office. "Our aim is for the site to not only be attractive for visitors, but also to serve as a diverse habitat for various animal and plant species. In addition to the nesting boxes, a biotope pond and the natural forest area also contribute to this. We are very happy about the self-built nesting boxes, which further expand our offer for the animals."

At the same time as the craft work, a group of pupils planted a small flowering meadow in the schoolyard. This provides food for insects and thus indirectly promotes the food base for the birds that breed in the nesting boxes. The first flowers could already be admired in the fall.

The project was therefore not only a contribution to species protection, but also a living example of education for sustainable development: learning with head, heart and hand.