Biodiversity Support Project with ČSOB – Prague Radlice

How did it start?

Ondra lives in Prague 5, Radlice. If he has time, he likes to wander into the old gardens next to the ČSOB bank, for the bumblebees, of course... 

This place has a special charm. The spirit of old Radlice is still present here. Previously, there was a farm, fields, and an orchard. The farm was bombed at the end of the war, just like Farkáň, Smíchov, and other parts of Prague. Gradually, a gardeners' colony emerged here, which gave way to the construction of a bank headquarters.

The nature trail, built by the Farkáň Association with the support of ČSOB, will show you what it looked like here before. Go and see these places, or make yourself a virtual tour from the comfort of home.

Nature is gradually reclaiming the land. Places where people used to walk, play with children, go sledging and even skiing are becoming overgrown with scrub. 

In the areas of the allotment colonies, the grass was always mown over the entire area at once. This caused the flowering plants to disappear overnight, and without them, life in the area fell silent…

This was also the case in 2021. One day, Ondra made up his mind and began to inquire who at the bank was responsible for the land and with whom he could discuss changing the mowing method. This is how Ondra got as far as the bank's ecologist, Paulína.

It was an open discussion, listening to the idea and proposal: „Let's get together and talk about the change in grass management.“ Soon Ondra received an invitation to a meeting. 

Wow – that's a challenge, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, especially not on CSOB's premises. 😀

We quickly came to an agreement with Vojta regarding him taking over the grass management and the changes we want to propose. As part of the preparations with Paulína, there was a challenge to also look at parts of the plot overgrown with shrubs, to propose insect hotels and prepare seminars. We are also to involve employees.

Uff, we need to expand the project team. So we've invited Michal the arborist. Who's going to manage all of this? We're also bringing Petra on board. So what if she's from Polička? She's an experienced project manager, and with her good nature and dedication, she'll create the necessary balance.

Nothing can be „slapped together“, so we're calling David. We need someone to take charge of the insect houses. David isn't one for small things, so the houses are becoming insect villages. Various types of bees will be living on the plot, so we're planning nesting spots for them in the ground, stones, and wood. The insect villages are expanding to include bug hotels and a range of other places for other „little sprites“ to live. Simply put, biodiversity in action!

We are working on the concept, fine-tuning the details, and looking forward to meeting with the bank. How will they receive it? Will they like it?

See for yourselves what we went to the bank with, at least a part of the presentation.