Project blog: Project start, year 2022
What you will learn here
- How did the project perform in 2022
- What we managed to achieve
- What's new
- What are we planning
Date of last update: 09/01/2023
Year one – 2022
7/1/2022
Today is the first meeting with the bank. We are presenting the project, intentions, and goals.
We're meeting nice people who are interested in our proposal. They're listening to our proposal and asking pertinent questions. They're also interested in the project team and how we plan to manage the entire event.
We have a very good feeling about how we were received and also that it looks very promising. After the meeting, we are sending Paulina the presented materials and planning the next steps.
We look forward to meeting in person soon at the project site. We're excited.
16/2/2022
This is the first time we're all meeting, and right away on the plot – the whole project team, including Jana. The goal was to go over the site and clarify our intentions, aligning them with the bank's expectations.
We went through all the places and talked about what to do and how to do it. Although it was a cold February morning, we were warmed by the good feeling that the bank liked our plans and that we were really going for it – together.
We have a certain suspicion that Vojta's „trendy“ beanie hat made a difference.
We also took some photos, as we are mapping the plot at the beginning and then the progress of the changes.
Snowdrops have bloomed and Vojta immediately tested his camera and his knees. Well... he'll have a lasting memory of our project 😀
ČSOB Garden
Photo: O. Hercog (16/02/2022)
The ČSOB Garden – Vojta in action
Photo: O. Hercog (16/02/2022)
CSOB Garden – Vojta Ondra and Michal
Photo: O. Hercog (16/02/2022)
CSOB Garden – the whole team
Photo: O. Hercog (16/02/2022)
The ČSOB Garden – Vojta in action... again 😀
Photo: O. Hercog (16/02/2022)
24/3/2022
We have a date with Paulína and Jana. Together we are going to find a place where we can put the bumblebees in the hives. The goal is to find a shady spot so they don't suffer in the summer.
Together, we have chosen a good spot overlooking the gardens. Here, the bumblebees will have an easy route to food. If they don't find any on the flowering roof, they can easily fly down to the garden below the bank. There, we will gradually prepare plenty of nectar-producing plants for them.
It's a beautiful day, so we're taking it as a good sign for our project.
Roof inspection – Photo: O. Hercog (24/3/2022)
Roof inspection – Photo: O. Hercog (24/3/2022)
27/3/2022
We are installing bumblebees for the bank. The weather is beautiful and it looks like it's going well. The marking on the entrance hole says that someone already lives here and they like the new stand for the hive.
We are installing bumblebees for the bank –
Photo: O. Hercog (27/03/2022)
We are placing bumblebees for the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (27/03/2022)
20/4/2022
Today we are moving bumblebees to the bank. It's two nests, queens with workers. The nests are doing well and will now live in the bank. Oh, they'll even be above the bank – on its roof.
The nest transfer is carried out at night. The nest box is closed after dark, meaning when the bumblebees are at home. Then the nest box is moved and left closed. It is opened again later in the morning, to induce an orientation flight. This helps the bumblebees remember the location of their new home so they can find it safely.
The hives were transported like ladies in the back seat, and the seatbelt was in place. Anyone who has had bumblebees flying around during sudden braking will nod in agreement and will secure their hives well in the car...
In the morning, we met with Paulína and Jana and looked at the bee hotels. Then we opened the flight entrance and the bumblebees showed us their orientation flight – wonderful!
Everything went well, the bumblebees are home. The only thing missing is an inventory number. Well, we'll see how Paulína sorts this out 😀
Bumblebees on the roof of the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
Bumblebees on the bank roof / it's at home
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank's roof – Paulína and Jana meet the new employees
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank roof – brand in the entrance hole
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
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Bumblebees on the roof of the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
12/5/2022
Ondra checked the bumblebees on the roof. Both hives are fine. Paulina and I chose a good spot, everything is as it should be.
Checks are best done at night, when bumblebees cannot see. Otherwise, bumblebees are like New York – they never sleep either.
Bumblebees on the roof of the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
Bumblebees on the roof of the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
Bumblebees on the roof of the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
26/5/2022
Today, a bumblebee keeper visited the bank. Ondra bravely battled a competing lecture by People in Need and also the Czech Republic's ice hockey match at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.
But it was still a very interesting meeting with those who really wanted the seminar.
The hour flew by, but the participants persevered and had a bit of a competition at the end. They also viewed the bumblebee HW (bee house) and sniffed the nest of live bumblebees.
We will definitely repeat the bumblebee project in 2023 and hopefully find those in the bank who will take up bumblebee breeding on the roof. However, it's important to find such people in time and „get them excited“. After all, that's also part of our plan.
Beekeeper at ČSOB
Photo: P. Jirsová (26/5/2022)
Beekeeper at ČSOB
Photo: P. Jirsová (26/5/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bee Keeper in ČSOB
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Beekeeper at ČSOB
Photo: P. Jirsová (26/5/2022)
2/6/2022
Another of the planned project events took place today, which was a walk through the ČSOB gardens.
Around 10 people got together, Vojta ran the event, but Michal also joined in.
The lads briefly explained the project's objectives, and then everyone dived into simple monitoring of the site and the insects present. They carefully collected samples in jars, and Vojta and Michal identified them.
It's already visible on the plot that the grass is being cut differently here, and this has had an effect on the number of insects – great, it's working!
The types of insects corresponded to the environment. One cannot say that we found any particularly interesting species there. But it is a biotope in the centre of Prague, where there were a lot of insects.
We haven’t carried out any comprehensive monitoring yet, but we’ll try to plan some for next year. However, we can estimate that we’ve seen 20–30% more insects than in previous years. And we’re only at the start of the project and the changes that are set to take place here.
For context, we are talking about a garden of approximately 20,000 m² with a South orientation. The gardens can be described as mesophilic (oat-grass) meadow. This means the environment is neither too wet nor too dry. Most plants belong here, e.g. Tall Oats-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Sweet Violet (Viola odorata), Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Spreading Bellflower (Campanula patula) and many others.
Among insects, one can mention soldier beetles (Cantharidae) and true bugs (Heteroptera), particularly shield bugs.
There were also a number of butterflies, corresponding to June. Small Heath, Marbled white but also beautiful Common Blue. Further butterflies will appear later. The growing vegetation suits the caterpillars as food, while the grown plants and tall grass provide adult butterflies with places to hide, roost and mate. Therefore, it is important to maintain diversity here, and this is being achieved!
Of course, there were also a number of bumblebees such as Buff-tailed bumblebee, Great garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), White-tailed bumblebee, meadow bumblebee a Field bumblebee. Further species of bumblebee can be identified using basic overview of bumblebee species in the Czech Republic.
It was great to see the interest of those who came, and their efforts to learn about the place and recognise the insects found there. It was lovely that young children also participated in the event. What if one of them becomes a biologist, botanist, or ecologist? Even if they „just“ develop an interest in nature, that will be wonderful!
As well as the butterfly species we encountered today, you can also see these other beauties in the garden:
- Meadow brown
- Small white butterfly
- Large white butterfly
- Comma butterfly
- Peacock butterfly (Inachis io)
- Small Tortoiseshell
- Red Admiral
- Painted Lady
- Silver-washed Fritillary
- Swallowtail
You can already encounter other species of bumblebees and bumblebees in the same place today:
If you don't know what pačmeláci are, take a look SEM
Perhaps the photographs will be useful for you to go over.
We will definitely be happy to repeat the action, and if the project continues to do as well as it is now, we will surely find nature a bit more diverse and richer there next year.
Páteříček (Cantharis)
Photo Wiki
Shield bug (Heteroptera)
Photo: P.-Krásenský
Small Heath
Photo: Wiki
Marbled White
Photo: Wiki
Bumblebees PLUS – Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Photo: Wiki
Meadow brown
Photo: Wiki
Small white butterfly
Photo: Wiki
Small white
Green-veined white
Photo: Wiki
Comma butterfly
Photo: Wiki
Peacock butterfly
Photo: Wiki
Small Tortoiseshell
Photo: Wiki
Red Admiral
Photo: Wiki
Painted Lady
Photo: Wiki
Silver-washed Fritillary
Photo: Wiki
Swallowtail Butterfly
Photo: Wiki
Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – queen
Photo: Ondřej Hercog 1/8/2021
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – queen
Photo: O. Hercog 27/6/2021
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Stone-coloured bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) – queen on a dead-nettle
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Field bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) Photo: Á. Ungerová 2020
Vestal Cuckoo Bee (Bombus vestalis) – female
Photo: O. Hercog 01/08/2021
Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) - queen
Photo: O. Hercog 30/5/2021
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
A walk through the CSOB gardens Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Picture: Paulína Jirsová (02/06/2022)
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
17/06/2022 and subsequent days
Michal and Vojta are walking through the grounds and mapping them. They are trying to find interesting woody plants, damage to trees, and also remnants of the original orchard. Not much is left of the old ploughs and the orchard at Frič's farm. This means there are more invasive woody plants and trees at risk of cracking. These are liable to fall, so a safety prune must be prepared.
But everything is subject to rules and permits, so it's a long haul.
The lads are meeting with interest from passers-by, so they explain what's being planned. It's not always met with approval. Some want to leave the space overgrown, others welcome its clearing. Our plan is for a compromise, so in the end, everyone will be satisfied.
It is clear, however, that we must work on a communication campaign in collaboration with the bank. This page is also part of it.
Looking at the photographs of the current state, you can see how nature has reclaimed this space. It's hard to believe that there were orchards and fields here. Just look here to see how it looked in the past and how it has changed over time see HERE
We will map the changes, and already next year we will see a shift from a 'dark forest' to something else.
Additional photos from the 2022 mapping will be added on an ongoing basis and can be found HERE:
CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
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CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
CSOB land mapping
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
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17/6/2022
Today, bumblebees were checked. Thanks to the check, it is possible to find out in time if the nest is not infested with parasites and to deal with it. During the check, bumblebees are collected and the nest is inspected. Any problem can then be dealt with.
The inspection is done at night, otherwise the bumblebees wouldn't like it.
Paulína equipped the bee hives with a leaflet and QR code. Thanks to this, employees can easily read about bumblebees and why they actually appeared on the bank's roof.
After checking the hives, they were given a water cooler in the form of a cloth with a water reservoir. The evaporation from the wet cloth is enough to keep the temperature in the hives within reasonable limits even on summer days. The technical dispatch team received training on how and when to refill the water. As a reward, they also received a brief explanation so they would know why they were doing all this and whom they were protecting. They need to be praised because they took good care of the hives and, thanks to them, the colonies survived this year's heatwave.
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank roof – check
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
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Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank roof – check
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
ipiscing
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank roof – check
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the bank roof – water cooling
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
21/6/2022
We are preparing new stakes to mark areas that will not be mown. Unfortunately, a verbal agreement is not enough; the areas need to be visibly marked. This will ensure that interesting plants will bloom and multiply here.
Together with Vojta, we're heading out to the garden and we'll mark such places with freshly made stakes. We're in a hurry, the next cut is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
We are also marking areas with tall stalks of grass. Butterflies will be sleeping there. And, well, they'll also have butterfly rendezvous there. Actually, they do... Shhh! Don't disturb them!
Pegs
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
Pegs – Vojta in action
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
It's pegged out! - Lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina) are growing here
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
Butterfly rendezvous - Marbled white (Melanargia galathea)
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
We also marked the nest of the red wood ant (Formica rufa)
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
24/6/2022
How did the scan turn out after we marked the areas for the cutters?
Good news, it works – yay!
Finally, it has been possible to preserve the more valuable vegetation – pollinator-friendly plants and areas of long grass. The stakes might not look pretty, but they send a clear message to the mower: “No entry this way!“
This was precisely the impetus for contacting the bank. The beautiful vegetation disappeared overnight, and the garden had previously been mown all at once. Now everything is different. I am writing this to my colleagues and sending photos. We are all very happy.
After the second cut
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cut - Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cut
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cut
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cut
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
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18/7/2022
Hooray, the media are interested in the project! It's a small piece, but we're happy about it. We modestly think it deserves much more attention, but we're taking it as a first swallow.
It's truly wonderful that the bank is actively interested in ecology and, most importantly, that it's taking action.
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roofs of ČSOB – Právo 18/7/2022
24/7/2022
A little walk through the garden and so much joy. See for yourself how things are changing for the better and how much nature is returning here!
ČSOB Garden
Photo: O. Hercog (24/7/2022)
ČSOB Garden
Photo: O. Hercog (24/7/2022
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31/7/2022
The bumblebees on the roof are doing well. They have good conditions up there, and it's only a hop... a short flight... to the garden full of „tasty things“.
8/2022
ČSOB has come up with the idea of organising a Volunteer Day. We like the idea and will involve employees in tidying up the area, while also using them to disseminate project plans and intentions.
8/9/2022
Today a seminar was held in Hradec Králové. It was led by David from ČSOP Jaroměř. We were a bit disappointed that not many people attended, because the programme was packed. However, we will definitely repeat the event next year in Prague.
If you want to learn more about ČSOP Jaroměř, please visit their website, which you can find HERE
Lecture David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp
Lecture David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp (8/09/2022)
Lecture David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp
9/2022
We are preparing the resowing of the ČSOB gardens. We have agreed with the bank to speed up the restoration process and sow the areas with seeds of selected plants.
The plan includes targeted weakening of the grass to allow other plant species to establish.
What plants will we therefore use to increase diversity?
Kokrhel luštinec
From the perspective of benefits to the site, this is the most significant plant species. Cockles are hemiparasitic plants that attach to their hosts (preferably grasses) using suckers (haustoria), from which they draw water and mineral nutrients (root parasites). This will help us combat the expansive grass, false oat-grass, on the site. The cockle is a beautiful plant in itself, attracting pollinators, but by suppressing the lushness of grasses, it creates space for other flowering plants that can spread into areas previously shaded by grasses. Furthermore, the cockle begins to flower after the dead-nettles have finished blooming, which is readily utilised by bumblebees, for whom it offers a very valuable food source. Incidentally, it is no coincidence that cockles are always found in the species-rich Carpathian meadows.
Wild liquorice
This is a beautiful nectar-producing plant. We want to include it in the growth because it flowers only after the foxglove has finished blooming, thus providing continuity of forage for pollinators. Vetch produces a large number of seeds, so it is likely to spread on the site. Furthermore, the endangered adonis blue butterfly lives on vetch in the nearby Dívčí hrady. If vetch were to become established, there would be a chance that the species could also spread to the CSOB land.
Yarrow
The food plant of one of our smallest butterflies, the azure-tailed blue. In addition, it is again a plant that is very popular with bumblebees.
Oxeye daisy
On more frequently mown areas, the ox-eye daisy, a plant typical of flowery meadows, should not be missing. The ox-eye daisy is quite literally an icon of meadows, and most people picture it when they hear the word “meadow”. We should certainly set aside part of the site for an "ox-eye daisy meadow".
Red clover
For bumblebees, clover is one of the most important sources of nectar, so in the meadow we would like to sow strips with clover, which will provide food for bumblebees and other bees throughout the season.
Bugleweed
A herb with versatile uses, for example for nervous system disorders, etc. For insects, it has one amazing property, which is its flowering period. Betony bloom in mid-July and flower until the end of August. This is a time of year when nectar becomes scarce, and it is also when new bumblebee queens hatch, needing plenty of food.
We are still planning to enrich some areas with seeds from Bumblebee PLUS seed packets. There are plenty of varieties available, serving as a depository for sharing seeds from across the country. You too can join our initiative – don't hesitate.
Greater yellow-rattle
Photo: Wiki
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Sainfoin
Photo: Wiki
Common Kidneyvetch
Photo: Wiki
Ox-eye daisy
Photo: Internet
Red clover
Photo: Wiki
Betonica officinalis
Photo: Wiki
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Bumblebees PLUS Seed Bank – Logo
26/9/2022
The plans for Volunteer Day 2022 are ready!
Michal suggested using seed bombs as a technique for spreading seeds.
Vojta will supply apples from the orchard, Michal will supply his HW, and we'll be making cider. The know-how is shared.
Petra promised to come too, even with catering.
Ondra's out of luck, he has to work hard. However, he promised to put in the effort for the talking part. He's trying to secure the participation of the residents of Farkáň and Waltrovka too. He's using the good graces of neighbours who look after social media for the local community.
Oh.
23/09/2022
We have received a newsletter prepared by ČSOB. We are sharing it with our friends from the Farkáň Association (Bear for himself) from Waltrovka.
Will any of them join?
The invitation is available. Hopefully she’ll manage to get it circulated at ČSOB..
If they don't manage it, or the date doesn't suit them, we will organise a separate event with them.
Oh.
Bumblebees PLUS – ČSOB Volunteer Day 2022 10 07 – Invitation Farkáň and Waltrovka
26/9/2022
The revised grass management has worked. Honey-producing plants, such as dead-nettles here, are multiplying in designated areas, bringing life back to the garden.
This is precisely our goal, and the results confirm it. Once we've persuaded the land manager to adopt a different mowing approach, small miracles happen.
6/10/2022
Michal and Vojta are picking apples in the orchard and preparing materials. The weather is lovely, so we decided to wash the apples in Ondra's garden. It will save us work, and besides, it wouldn't be possible without hygiene (apple hygiene).
The apples are from the orchard in Zadní Kopanina, which is cared for by Pražská pastvina = they have never seen chemicals.
ČSOB Project – Volunteer Day – Michal and Vojta (06/10/2022)
ČSOB Project – Volunteer Day (06/10/2022)
7/10/2022
At last it's here – the joint volunteer day, a day with a capital „D“!
The lads are preparing the materials in the morning and taking it to the plot. Ondra is waiting by the chapel. It's 9:00 AM, quite chilly, but the weather forecast is good.
Jana Endtová is coming. Then more and more brave souls, so hooray, let's get on with it.
The participants arriving are not just from ČSOB, but Tereza from Waltrovka is also here. We introduce ourselves and use first names – we're now colleagues and a working day awaits us.
Most participants are from IT, or from FAMU. Look what's hidden in ČSOB 🙂
Ondra presents the project and its goals. He also shows historical photographs and maps of old Radlice and the plots of land that the bank now owns. It's a very interesting look at history. Finally, see for yourselves. HERE
Michal and Vojta are here, Petra has arrived – that's everyone. Ondra wishes everyone a good day and leaves for his work, he won't be participating today.
Let's get to work!
Petra takes charge of the must-making, and others quickly join in. Everyone enjoys the work, and soon bottles are filled with excellent organic must.
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – material is already on site
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Getting acquainted, it's still winter, but soon...
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – The pressing crew is getting going
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – There’s no electronics, no programme, but IT is still kicking it off – wow….
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – A result was achieved. And they say hops are our gold – tsss
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Expert supervision arrived, or Monika, Mikulášek and Michal
Michal and Vojta are gradually setting up our small arms factory and teaching others how to make a seed bomb.
Gentlemen are heading out among the trees. They are selecting wood designated for felling and using it to build two natural composters. This is also part of the maintenance plan for these areas. The material harvested here will also be processed here. We will use the composters for mown grass. The pruned branches will become a hiding place for small animals, birds, and lizards.
Another group is starting to plant comfrey root. This was supplied by Vítek from Polička. When the comfrey flowers in spring, its blossoms will be excellent food for insects.
We are also making a cover for the beautiful ant nest from the leftover material. This will protect it better from being dug up by insectivorous birds.
We are also building a prototype for a waste bin.
But time is relentless, and so we must begin to wind down. We don't even know how it all flew by. When working and talking about our project, there's no time to watch the clock.
Throughout the day, a number of people stopped by to see what we were up to. We're happy about this, as it fulfills our goal of involving fellow citizens. Perhaps we'll manage to convince the teachers from MŠ Radlická too. They walked past with the children this morning, and if we'd had small rakes, they surely would have joined in with the children.
Here are photos from the volunteer day. Can you find yourself in them? Then take a look and choose the photos you like. You can find all the photos HERE
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Real bombs are being prepared, seed bombs, that is!
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – These precision munitions will end up in Bohemia, but if necessary, they will also be used in the East
Bumblebees PLUS - CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Sometimes wood is taken into the forest, and sometimes out again. And they say a bank clerk only knows how to count money…
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – A captain's bridge is not being built here, but a composter is being created.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – We had no idea that FAMU was also in the bank. Here, one of the leaders, Ms. Jana, isn't dealing cards but comfrey roots. In the spring, bumblebees will feast on its flowers.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – After a job well done, you get hungry. Even though Péťa brought excellent veggie soup all the way from Polička, Vojta had some meat.
CSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – We're already one big team
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – The greatest joy is always in the children's enthusiasm, after all, we are doing it all for them!
It was great. We all enjoyed it immensely and are looking forward to our next event together! Plans and ideas are already forming in our heads. Our first task was to convey the message to others that nature is thriving even in the city and that there are plenty of great people there who aren't afraid of hard work.
THANK YOU ALL!
8/10/2022
In the project, we are evaluating Volunteer Day, looking at what went well and what we could do differently. We have a lot of suggestions and ideas on how to involve passers-by and those who would like to get involved. Not just random passers-by, but also neighbours who live or garden in the vicinity.
And it doesn't just stay with words, we contact Hanka, Martina, Alice, and Terka from Farkáň and Waltrovka. The ladies are proactive and the result is „CLEARLY!“
Great – the Farkáň Association and Waltrovka both want to get involved, and ČSOB is on board. We're looking for a suitable date for the coming days.
We need to agree with Michal and Vojta on which tasks they will assign to us.
Oh.
10/10/2022
We are still impressed by the successful event.
Even at ČSOB, they liked it, we're sharing a very nice reaction.
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Dear colleagues,
I would like to thank you at least in this way for organising such a great volunteering day as last Friday was.
We were all part of a flawless organisation, the hard work was evident, we learned something new and, on top of that, the cider we made ourselves was excellent. .
I would like the thanks to extend to both of the organisations that arranged a great day for us (wonderful people).
And I'll be grateful for any further activity in this direction. We even talked about walks, which are organised by them, or further lectures.
I would be happy to participate in everything, so please let me know about any further events. I'm also speaking for Evi B., who was as enthusiastic as I was.:-)
Thank you very much again!
Good day.
Dana
***
DThanks so much. Taxes, Jane, but also to everyone who got involved and will come again! A very interesting community of employees, co-neighbours and citizens can be created around the project and the land, who will jointly improve this place as we proposed in the project.
Bude to a place for people and for nature. No, that is our shared dream.
14/10/2022
Good news. A school project from ZŠ U Santošky Prague 5 will be heading to the ČSOB garden. The pupils will monitor the wildlife and plants there and will write a report about it. As a reward, they will get to see the roof of the bank and learn about the building's ecology. So, keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
24/10/2022
Today, the ZŠ U Santošky school's project day took place in the CSOB gardens and also on the roof of NHQ (headquarters).
The children from the project team first watched the amazing film "Planet Prague", directed by Jan Hošek and filmed by Jiří Petr.
This interesting film shows how nature is doing in the capital city. The fact that it's getting better and better is also thanks to the active involvement of companies in supporting nature and biodiversity, as seen in this project.
Then the children went to the bank, where Paulína welcomed them. Together with her, they climbed to the roof, where they learned how the roof of office space can be green and full of life. Indeed, it is the rightful winner of the Green Roof 2021 competition.
Paulína explained to them how the water management works there, what plants and trees grow there, and showed them the nooks and crannies that nature had created there.
The children were also interested in the beehives where the bumblebees had been living this year. They were also captivated by the beautiful view towards Malvazinky and the garden into the bank.
The team said goodbye to Paulina, thanked her, and set off to carry out their tasks. They mapped out the garden and completed various assignments there.
On their way to school, they stopped at Ondra and his wife Vlaďka’s „teachers“" garden. Ondra gave them a short explanation about bumblebees. To make it not too easy, the children had a competition. Not only the winners of the competition, but the entire project team now knows how long bumblebees live and also what type of bumblebees could be seen on the bank’s roof this year.
It was lucky that the team didn't get stuck several times; it was always by a whisker.
But the children have a lot of work ahead of them. Tomorrow they have to process all their impressions, observations, and assigned tasks into their project. They will be working in 4 smaller teams, mixed from different classes.
We look forward to the results and hope they can be processed in such a way that they can be shared with the bank. This would connect everything – nature, citizens, pupils, employees and a large company.
Thank you to Paulina, who was an excellent guide, and also to Jana, who supported the project!
School Project – U Santošky Primary School at the Bank
Photo: M.Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
School Project – U Santošky Primary School at the Bank
Photo: M.Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
School Project – U Santošky Primary School with the Bombusophiles
Photo: M.Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
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25/10/2022
At the U Santošky Primary School, there was no idleness today. Each project team chose its own topic, which they then worked on independently. Although the topics varied, they had one common denominator – nature and the experiences from the previous day.
The whole thing was great and definitely worth repeating.
Here you can see what the children have made. You have to admit, it’s great!
School Project - Primary School U Santošky
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School Project - Primary School U Santošky
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School Project - Primary School U Santošky
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School Project - Primary School U Santošky
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
1/11/2022
Tomorrow, the grounds of ČSOB will be re-sown. We are preparing more stakes for marking out the areas that will be created there.
Hopefully, someone won't be messing with it.
Dosev
Photo: O. Hercog (1/11/2022)
2/11/2022
We are commencing garden sowing!
November is the best time for such an action. First, however, the surface must be disturbed so that the seeds can reach the bare soil. Stoje is struggling with this quite a bit, the soil is very clayey and sticky.
Vojta marked out the space that will be modified in this way. Irregular islands will be created, which will be reseeded, and from where the vegetation will spread further. We are already looking forward to seeing what it will look like here in the spring.
Paulína assisted and was pleased. Ondra promised to make small information boards with a link to our website. Vojta doesn't like signs, but he'll surely get used to them. The main thing is that everyone can easily find out what's going on here. Thanks to this, we'll involve them in the next event. It's a good thing people are curious. We'll be grateful for every helping hand.
Dosage November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2 November 2022)
Dosage November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2 November 2022)
Dosage November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2 November 2022)
The goal is a flowering meadow garden.
Photo: V. Koštíř
8/11/2022
Together with the bank, we are planning the project's activities for 2023. We have more experience compared to January, and the bank also has a greater appetite to engage in further actions with us. So, keep your fingers crossed for us, that no recession halts us. Changes are already visible on the plot, so hopefully the project's momentum won't be stopped.
Biodiversity Support Project Concept – Status and Plans for 2023
Biodiversity Support Project Concept – Status and Plans for 2023
17/11/2022
Another sowing has taken place. The centres, under Vojta's leadership, prepared further „beds,“ which were then resown with purchased seeds.
The weather wasn’t on our side, so we weren’t able to get any extra help. But the Farkáňský Association will get involved if we plan another event outside working hours. Alice, Martina and Tereza, as well as Hanka, willthey are helped by the involvement of locals And so we will create an opportunity for them.
27/11/2022
A reseeding recently took place on the plot, but something is still missing. Therefore, we decided on a marketing campaign. We prepared small promotional leaflets, laminated them, and Ondra placed them on the marking stakes.
Well, it immediately caught on, and passers-by could immediately find out what was going on there. And that was our goal – to inform the public why the plot is now being maintained differently and why it looks different.
We consider it necessary to communicate our goals and activities to the general public to gain their support and interest. Although we don't have a „Mára“ (a strong, capable individual) among our ranks, we hope we can manage nonetheless.
Marketing the development
Photo: O. Hercog (27 November 2020)
Marketing the development
Photo: O. Hercog (27 November 2020)
Marketing the development
Photo: O. Hercog (27 November 2020)
Marketing the development
Photo: O. Hercog (27 November 2020)
9/12/2022
We are presenting plans and the budget proposal for 2023 at the bank. This year, we have gathered many ideas together that can be jointly implemented. Not all of them will be realised, of course, but the collaboration is inspiring, and so hopefully, at least those with the greatest benefit will be realised.
We are also introducing a project to support rare butterfly species. We are not directly involved in this, and we want to support it together.
Will it work? Keep your fingers crossed for us!
16/12/2022
We are meeting Paulina in the bank's gardens to wish each other a Merry Christmas. It's cold outside and the gardens are covered in snow.
See for yourself how lovely it is there – and we’re just a stone’s throw from the centre. Gardens and the nature within them sleep today – resting and looking forward to spring.
If the project continues to be as successful as it has been this year, things will be even more interesting and rewarding here in 2023 – for both people and nature.
Thank you to everyone who is working on this project with us or supporting it in any way. It’s a wonderful feeling to be creating something new together with all of you, or to be restoring nature to where it belongs.
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16 December 2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16 December 2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16 December 2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16 December 2022)
