The biodiversity project at Natürlich Schwarz organic farm

Natürlich Schwarz organic farm in Tägerwilen intends to create a habitat for wild bees and other insects that nest in the ground by building new structures for them. The standard fruit tree orchard will be revitalized using sand islands, blooming meadows and nesting boxes to increase biodiversity. Under the management of oekoskop (in German) and with the support of AXA, this biodiversity project is slated for implementation in 2025.

Natürlich Schwarz – a place where everything flourishes

Natürlich Schwarz organic farm is exactly what you expect an organic farm to be – and more. With pesticide-free production and animal welfare farming, the farm does its best to maintain an ecological balance. For the manager of the farm, Timon Schwarz, promoting biodiversity is especially important. Diversity plays a key role in his standard fruit tree orchard as well – he grows some 80 different varieties of fruit on the farm. The aim of AXA’s biodiversity project is to turn what is an already biodiverse fruit orchard into a true haven for plant and animals species.

The biodiversity project – more than just trees

Standard fruit tree orchards are among the most biodiverse habitats in Central Europe. They are home to birds, bats, hedgehogs, butterflies, bees and many other types of insects. So that every living thing can feel at home in the orchard, special structures such as piles of branches and stones, low-growing hedgerows, dry-stone walls and wetland areas will be created to provide food, nesting and overwintering sites for wildlife. Some of these features can already be found on the farm in Tägerwilen, but there is room for more. The biodiversity project aims to increase habitat in particular for ground-nesters, such as certain types of wild bees and different kinds of birds.

Planned measures

• Sand islands: Sand islands are just that – tiny islands made of sand. They provide nesting spaces for wild bees, of which around two thirds nest on the ground, and for various other types of insects. These structures encourage these key pollinators to take up residence and multiply.
• Fields of blooms: The orchard will be dotted with blooming meadows. Blooming plants provide a continuous buffet for small pollinators, thereby increasing their numbers and helping with pollination of the orchard.
• Nesting spaces: Nesting boxes will be hung on the trees to serve as housing for different bird species, and with a little luck maybe even the owl of Athena, which is threatened by extinction and whose preferred nesting spot is in orchards.
• Grouping of bushes, hedges and other traditional structural forms: Moist areas and other structures will be added to the existing structures in the orchard to turn it into a true biodiverse paradise.

Long-term impact

Over time, these plantings will grow a stable population of beneficial insects and pollinators. These little helpers will create a stable ecosystem, boost harvest yields and improve the resiliency of the land overall. In this way, the biodiversity project not only maintains biodiversity, it also supports sustainable agriculture on the farm.

Your contribution to the project 

The biodiversity project at Natürlich Schwarz organic farm is one example of how agriculture could function sustainably – with a positive impact on the environment, biodiversity and the local community.

As an AXA customer, you have the option of taking part in this project or any of our other anniversary projects. Come join us in the Flora Futura Box, where you’ll be able to scan the QR code on the invitation you received. For every QR code that is scanned, AXA will donate CHF 5 to the biodiversity project in your region.