Project blog project start year 2022
What you will learn here
- How did the project fare in 2022?
- What we achieved
- What's new
- What are we planning?
Last updated: 9/1/2023
Year One – 2022
7/1/2022
Today is the first meeting with the bank. We present the project, intentions and goals.
We meet nice people who are interested in our proposal. They listen to our proposal, ask substantive questions. They are also interested in the project team and how we want to manage the whole event.
We feel very good about how we were received and also that it looks very promising. After the meeting, we send Paulina the presented materials and plan the next steps.
We will soon arrange a personal meeting at the location concerned by the project. We look forward to it.
16/2/2022
We are all meeting for the first time, right on the property – the entire project team, including Jana. The goal was to walk around the property and clarify our intentions, aligning them with the bank's expectations.
We went through all the places and talked about what and how to do. 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" snack took over.
We also took a few photos because we are mapping the land at the beginning and then the course of the changes.
The snowdrops bloomed and Vojta immediately tested his camera and knees. Well…he will have a lasting memory of our project 😀
ČSOB Garden
Photo: O. Hercog (16/2/2022)
ČSOB Garden – Vojta in action
Photo: O. Hercog (16/2/2022)
ČSOB Garden – Vojta Ondra and Michal
Photo: O. Hercog (16/2/2022)
ČSOB garden – the whole team
Photo: O. Hercog (16/2/2022)
ČSOB Garden – Vojta in action… again 😀
Photo: O. Hercog (16/2/2022)
24/3/2022
We have a date with Paulina and Jana. Together we go to find a place to put the bumblebees in the hives. The goal is to find a place in the shade so that they don't suffer in the summer.
Together we chose a good spot overlooking the gardens. Here the bumblebees will have an easy way to find food; if they don't find it on the flowering roof, they will easily fly to the garden under the bank. There we will gradually prepare a lot of honey plants for them.
It's a beautiful day, so we take 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 settling bumblebees for the bank. The weather is beautiful and it looks like things are going well. The sign on the entrance hole says that someone already lives here and the new stand under the hive is nice.
We are settling bumblebees for the bank –
Photo: O. Hercog (27/03/2022)
We are settling bumblebees for the bank
Photo: O. Hercog (27/03/2022)
20/4/2022
Today we are transporting the bumblebees to the bank. There are two hives, mothers and workers. The nests are doing well and now they will live in the bank. Oh, they will even be above the bank – on its roof.
The nest is moved at night. The hive is closed after dark, when the bumblebees are at home. The hive is then moved and left closed. It is opened later in the morning to induce an orientation flight. This allows the bumblebees to remember the location of their new home so they can find it safely.
The hives rode like ladies in the back seat, even the seat belt was in place. The one who had bumblebees flying after hard braking doesn't wave and secures the hives well in the car...
In the morning we met with Paulina and Jana and looked at the hives. Then we opened the entrance hole and the bumblebees showed us their orientation flight – great!
Everything went well, the bumblebees are home. The only thing missing is the inventory number. Well, let's see how Paulína solves this 😀
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank / ji6 at home
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of the bank – Paulína and Jana meet new employees
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of the bank – sign in the entrance hole
Photo: O. Hercog (20/4/20220
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Bumblebees on the roof of a 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 place, everything is as it should be.
Checks are best done at night, when the bumblebees can't see. Otherwise, the bumblebees are like New York - they never sleep either.
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (12/5/2022)
26/5/2022
Today, the "beekeeper" took place at the bank. Ondra bravely fought off a competing lecture from People in Need and also a hockey match of the Czech team at the 2022 World Cup.
But even so, it was a very interesting meeting with those who really wanted the seminar.
The hour flew by, but the participants persevered and competed a bit at the end. They also visited a bumblebee hive and sniffed a nest of live bumblebees.
We will definitely repeat the beekeeper event in 2023 and hopefully we will be able to find people in the bank who will take on the task of breeding bumblebees on the roof. But we need to find such people in time and "cheer them up". By the way, we also plan to do that.
Beekeeper at ČSOB
Photo: P. Jirsová (26/5/2022)
Beekeeper at ČSOB
Photo: P. Jirsová (26/5/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Beekeeper at 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, a walk through the ČSOB gardens.
About 10 people gathered, Vojta led the event, but Michal also joined in.
The guys briefly explained the goals of the project and then everyone threw themselves into simple monitoring of the site and the insects present there. They carefully collected samples into jars and Vojta and Michal identified them.
It is already visible on the property that the grass is being cut differently and this has affected the number of insects - great, it works!
The insect species corresponded to the environment. It cannot be said that we found any very interesting species there. But it is a biotope in the center of Prague, where there were a lot of insects.
We haven't implemented any area monitoring yet, we'll try to propose it for next year. But we can estimate that we saw 20-30% more insects than in previous years. And we're only at the beginning of the project and the changes that are to occur here.
To give you an idea, we are talking about a garden with an area of approximately 20,000 m² and facing south. The gardens can be described as a mesophilic (oat) meadow. This means that the environment is neither too humid nor too dry. Most plants belong here, such as raised oat (Arrhenatherum elatius), fragrant violet (Viola odorata), forest beech (Fagus sylvatica), common bellflower (Campanula patula) and many others.
Among insects, we can mention the beetles (Cantharidae) and the bedbugs (Heteroptera), especially the ladybugs.
There were also a number of butterflies, corresponding to June, the common blue (Coenonympha pamphilus) , the blue-winged blue (Melanargia galathea) but also the beautiful needle-like blue (Polyommatus icarus) . Other butterflies will appear later. The caterpillars prefer the growing vegetation as food, while the adults prefer mature plants and tall grass as places to hide, spend the night and mate. Therefore, it is important to maintain diversity here, and it is working!
Of course, there were also a number of bumblebees such as the ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) , garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), grove bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) , meadow bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and field bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) . Other bumblebee species can be identified using the basic overview of bumblebee and field bumblebee species in the Czech Republic .
It was great to see the interest of those who came and their effort to learn something about the place and the insects that live there. It was great that even small children participated in the event. What if some of them become biologists, botanists, ecologist? Even if they are "just" interested in nature, it will be great!
In addition to the butterfly species we met today, these other beauties can be seen in the garden:
- Meadowsweet (Maniola jurtina)
- Beet white (Pieris rapae)
- Rapeseed whitefly (Pieris brassicae)
- White butterfly c (Polygonia c-album)
- Peacock-eye butterfly (Inachis io0)
- Nettle butterfly (Nymphalis utricae)
- Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
- Thistle butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
- Silver-banded pearlfish (Agrinnis paphia)
- Iphiclides podalirius (Iphiclides podalirius)
In the same place you can already meet other species of bumblebees and wasps:
- Rock bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
- Field bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis)
- Bombus rupestris (Bombus rupestris)
If you don't know what pačmeláci are, look HERE
You might find the photos useful to review.
We would definitely like to repeat the event and if the project is as successful as it is now, we will certainly find nature there again next year, even more diverse and richer.
Cantharis
Photo Wiki
Beetle (Heteroptera)
Photo: P.-Krásenský
Buckwheat eye (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Photo: Wiki
Melanargia galathea (Melanargia galathea)
Photo: Wiki
Bumblebees PLUS – Blue-spotted Bumblebee (Polyommatus icarus)
Photo: Wiki
Meadowsweet (Maniola jurtina)
Photo: Wiki
Beetroot (Pieris rapae)
Photo: Wiki
Rapeseed white-winged
(Pieris napi)
Photo: Wiki
White butterfly C (Polygonia c-album)
Photo: Wiki
Peacock butterfly ( Inachis io)
Photo: Wiki
Stinging nettle (Aglais urticae)
Photo: Wiki
Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
Photo: Wiki
Thistle butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
Photo: Wiki
Silver-banded pearlfish (Argynnis paphia)
Photo: Wiki
Otakárek fruit (I phiclides podalirius)
Photo: Wiki
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – mother (queen)
Photo: Ondřej Hercog 1/8/2021
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 27/6/2021
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Rock bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) – mother on a tree stump (queen)
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Field bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) Photo: Á. Ungerová 2020
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis) – female
Photo: O. Hercog 01/08/2021
Bombus rupestris - mother (female)
Photo: O. Hercog 5/30/2021
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
A walk through the ČSOB gardens Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Photo by Paulína Jirsová (2/6/2022)
A walk through the ČSOB gardens
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/6/2022)
17/6/2022 and other days
Michal and Vojta walk through the land and map it. They try to find interesting trees, damaged trees and also the remains of the original orchard. Not much is left of the old plowshares and the orchard of Frič's estate. There are even more invasive trees and trees with dangerous fractures. They are in danger of falling and therefore a safety cut must be prepared.
But everything is subject to rules and permits, so it's a long-distance race.
The guys meet with the interest of passers-by and explain to them what is going on there. It is not always met with a response. Someone wants to leave the space overgrown, another will welcome its lighting. Our plan is a compromise, so that in the end everyone will be satisfied.
But it is clear that we need to work on a communication campaign in cooperation with the bank, which includes this page.
Looking at the photos 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 used to look and how it changed over time, see HERE.
We will map the changes and next year we will see a shift from a dark forest to something else.
We will continuously add more photos from the 2022 mapping and you can find them HERE :
Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
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Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
Mapping of ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (16/6/2022)
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17/6/2022
Today, a bumblebee inspection took place. Thanks to the inspection, it is possible to find out in time whether the nest is infected with parasites and to deal with it. During the inspection, the bumblebees are removed and the nest is inspected. Any problem can then be resolved.
The inspection is done at night, otherwise the bumblebees wouldn't like it.
Paulína equipped the hives with a flyer and QRC. Thanks to this, employees can easily read about bumblebees, and they actually showed up on the bank roof.
After the inspection, the hives were given a water cooler in the form of a rag with a water reservoir. The evaporation of the wet rag is enough to keep the temperature in the hive within reasonable limits even on summer days. The technical dispatcher was trained on how and when to refill the water. As a reward, they also received a short explanation so that they knew why they were doing all this and who they were protecting. They should be praised because they took good care of it and thanks to them the nests survived this year's heat.
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of the bank – inspection
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
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Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of the bank – inspection
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6 2022)
ipiscing
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of the bank – inspection
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roof of a bank – water cooling
Photo: O. Hercog (17/6/2022)
21/6/2022
We are preparing new stakes to mark areas that will not be cut. Unfortunately, verbal agreements are not enough, the areas need to be visibly marked. This will ensure that interesting plants will bloom and multiply there.
Together with Vojta, we head out to the garden and mark such places with freshly made pegs. We are in a hurry, the next mowing is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
We also mark out places with tall grass stalks. Butterflies will spend the night there. And I will also have butterfly rendezvous there. Actually, they give … Shh! Do not disturb!
Pins
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
Pins - Vojta in action
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
It's staked out! - Stachys byzantina grows here
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
Butterfly rendezvous – Galathea (Melanargia galathea)
Photo: O. Hercog (21/06/2022)
We also marked a nest of wood ants (Formica rufa)
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
24/6/2022
How did the mowing go after we marked the places for the chisels?
Good news, it works – yup!
Finally, we managed to preserve the more valuable vegetation – honey plants and areas with tall grass. The stakes may not look pretty, but they are a clear message to the mower: “The road doesn’t go this way!”
This was the impetus for contacting the bank. The beautiful vegetation disappeared overnight, the garden was cut all at once until now. Now everything is different. I am writing to my colleagues, sending photos. We are all very happy-
After the second cutting
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second mowing - woolly stachys (Stachys byzantina)
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cutting
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
After the second cutting
Photo: O. Hercog (24/6/2022)
After the second cutting
Photo: O. Hercog (24/06/2022)
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18/7/2022
Hooray, the media is interested in the project! It's a small text, but we're happy for it. We modestly say that it deserves much more attention, but we take it as the first swallow.
It is truly wonderful that the bank is actively interested in ecology and, most importantly, that it is taking action.
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebees on the roofs of ČSOB – Law 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 here 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 there and it's just a hop, skip and a jump to a garden full of "sweets"... aha, a little flight.
8/2022
ČSOB came up with the idea of organizing a Volunteer Day. We like the idea, we will involve employees in the design of the space and at the same time use them to disseminate project plans and intentions.
8/9/2022
Today a seminar took place in Hradec Králové. It was led by David from ČSOP Jaroměř. We were a little disappointed that few people came, because the program was packed. But we will definitely repeat the event next year in Prague.
If you want to learn more about ČSOP Jaroměř, check out their website, which can be found HERE
Lecture by David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp
Lecture by David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp (8/09/2022)
Lecture by David Číp – Hradec Králové
Photo: D. Číp
9/2022
We are preparing to reseed the ČSOB gardens. We have agreed with the bank that we will accelerate the restoration process and sow the areas with seeds of selected plants.
Part of the plan includes the targeted weakening of the grassland to make room for other plant species.
So what plants can we use to increase diversity?
Cockerels
are semi-parasitic 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 fight the expansive grass, raised oats, in the site. Cockerels are a beautiful plant in themselves that attracts pollinators, but by suppressing the lushness of grasses, space is created for other flowering plants that can spread to areas that were previously shaded by grasses. In addition, cockerels begin to bloom after the flowering of the daisies, which is readily used by bumblebees, for whom they offer a very valuable source of food. By the way, it is no coincidence that cockerels are always found in the species-rich Carpathian meadows
Vičenec ligrus
This is a beautiful honey plant. We want to include it in the stand because it blooms only after the cockscomb has bloomed, thus providing pollinators with continuity of grazing. Vičenec produces a lot of seeds, so it is likely that it will spread in the area. In addition, in the nearby Dívčí hrady, the endangered Vičenec blue lives on the vičenec. If the vičenec manages to establish itself, there is a chance that the species could spread to ČSOB lands
The annual bolhoj
is a food plant for one of our smallest butterflies: the lesser blue. In addition, it is again a plant very popular with bumblebees.
White daisy
In frequently mowed areas, a plant typical of flowery meadows, the daisy, should not be missing. The daisy is literally an icon of meadows and most people imagine it when they hear the word meadow. We should certainly set aside a part of the site for a “daisy meadow”.
Meadow clover
Clover is one of the most important sources of nectar for bumblebees, so we would like to sow strips of clover in the meadow, which will provide food for bumblebees and other bees throughout the season.
Bitter gourd
A herb with versatile uses, for example for nervous system disorders, etc. It has one amazing property for insects, which is its flowering time. Bitter gourd blooms in mid-July and blooms until the end of August. This is the time of year when nectar becomes scarce and it is also the time when new bumblebee queens hatch, which need plenty of food.
We are still planning to enrich some places with seeds from the Čmeláčí PLUS seed farm. There are many species available there, and it serves as a depot for sharing seeds from all over the country. You can also join our initiative - don't hesitate.
Rhinanthus alectorolophus (Rhinanthus alectorolophus)
Photo: Wiki
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Onobrychis viciifolia (Onobrychis viciifolia)
Photo: Wiki
Anthyllis vulnerari (Anthyllis vulnerari)
Photo: Wiki
White daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Photo: Internet
Meadow clover (Trifolium pratense)
Photo: Wiki
Common beetroot (Betonica officinalis)
Photo: Wiki
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Bumblebees PLUS Seedbed – Logo
26/9/2022
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 hardware and will make cider. The know-how is shared 🙂
Petra promised to come too, even with catering.
Ondra is unlucky, he has to work hard. But he promised to work hard on the chatter part. But he is also trying to ensure the participation of the residents of Farkáně and Waltrovka. He is using good souls – neighbors who take care of social networks for the local community.
O.
23/09/2022
We receive
Will any of them join?
Invitation is available<ZDE> Hopefully, it will be able to expand within ČSOB.
If they can't make it, or the date doesn't suit them, we'll organize a separate event with them.
O.
Čmeláci PLUS – ČSOB Volunteer Day 2022 10 07 – Invitation Farkáň and Waltrovka
26/9/2022
The grass management adjustment has worked. Honey-bearing plants, here the honeysuckle, are multiplying in selected areas. Thanks to this, life is returning to the garden.
This is exactly our goal and the results confirm it. Once we have convinced the land manager to use a different mowing method, small miracles happen.
6/10/2022
Michal and Vojta are picking apples in the orchard and preparing the material. The weather is beautiful and so we decided to wash the apples in Ondra's garden. It will save us work and it wouldn't be possible without hygiene (apple hygiene).
The apples are from the orchard in Zadní Kopanina, which is under the care of Pražská pastvina = it has never seen chemicals.
ČSOB Project – Volunteer Day – Michal and Vojta (6/10/2022)
ČSOB Project – Volunteer Day -(6/10/2022)
7/10/2022
It's finally here - a joint volunteer day, a day with a capital "D"!
The boys prepare the material in the morning and bring it to the site. Ondra waits by the chapel. It is 9:00, quite cold, but the weather forecast is good.
Jana Endtová is coming. Then more and more brave people, so hooray, let's go.
Not only the participants from ČSOB come, but also Tereza from Waltrovka. We introduce ourselves to each other and greet each other – now we are colleagues and a working day awaits us.
Most of the participants are from IT or FAMU. Look what's hidden in ČSOB 🙂
Ondra presents the project and its goals. He also shows historical photos and maps of the old Radlice and the land that is now owned by the bank. It is a very interesting look into history. Finally, see for yourself HERE
Michal and Vojta introduce themselves, Petra comes in – we are all here. Ondra wishes everyone a nice day and leaves for his work, he will not be attending today.
Let's get to work!
Petra takes charge of the must-making, and others soon join in. Everyone enjoys the work and soon the bottles are filled with delicious organic must.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – material is already on site
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – We are getting to know each other, it's still cold, but soon..
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – The grape-picking squad is starting up
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – There is no electronics or software, but IT is still getting it going – well this….
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – The result is here. And then hops are our gold – tsss
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Professional supervision has arrived, or Monika, Mikulášek and Michal
Michal and Vojtou are gradually starting up our small weapons factory and teaching others how to make a seed bomb.
The gentlemen go among the trees. They select wood to be cut down and use it to build two natural composters. This is also part of the maintenance plan for these areas. The material that is extracted here will also be processed here. We will use the composters for mowed grass. The cut branches will become a place for small animals, birds and lizards to hide.
Another group is starting to plant comfrey roots. This was supplied by Vítek from Polička. When the comfrey blooms in the spring, its flowers will be excellent food for insects.
From the remaining material, we are making a protection for a beautiful wood ant nest. This will better protect it from being dug up by insectivorous birds.
We are also building a prototype waste bin.
But time is relentless and that's why we'll be slowly finishing. We don't even know how it all flew by. There's no time to watch the clock while working and talking about our project.
During the day, many people stopped by and wondered what we were doing there. We are happy about it, because it will fulfill our goal of involving fellow citizens. Maybe we will even be able to convince the teachers from the Radlická Kindergarten. They walked around with their children in the morning, and if we had small counting machines, they would certainly join in with their children.
Here are the photos from the volunteer day. Can you see yourself in them? Then take a look and choose the photos you like. You can find all the photos HERE
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Real bombs are coming, i.e. seed bombs!
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – This precision ammunition will end up in the Czech Republic, but if needed, it will also be used in the East
Bumblebees PLUS - ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – Sometimes wood is carried into the forest, sometimes out again. And then the bank clerk can only count money,…
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – A captain's bridge is not being built here, but a composter is being built here.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – We had no idea that the bank also has FAMU. Here, one of the managers, Mrs. Jana, is not planting music notes but comfrey roots. In spring, bumblebees will enjoy its flowers.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – He gets hungry after a job well done. Even though Péťa brought a delicious veggie soup all the way from Polička, Vojta had a piece of meat.
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – We are already one big group
ČSOB Volunteer Day 7/10/2022 Prague Radlice – The greatest joy is always from the enthusiasm of the children, after all, we do everything for them!
It was great. We all had a lot of fun and are looking forward to the next event together! Plans and ideas are already forming in our heads. As our first task, we said that we had to convey the message to others that nature is thriving in the city too and that there are lots of nice people there who are not afraid of work.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!
8/10/2022
In the project we evaluate Volunteer Day, what went well, what to do differently. We have a lot of ideas and suggestions on how to involve passersby and those who would like to get involved. It wasn't just random passersby, but also neighbors who live or garden in the area.
And it doesn't just stop at words, we contact Hanka, Martina, Alica and Terka from Farkáně and Waltrovka. The ladies are active and the result is "OF COURSE!"
Great – Farkáňský spolek and Waltrovka want to get involved, ČSOB is in favor. We are looking for a suitable date for the next few days.
We need to agree with Michal and Vojta what work they will entrust us with.
O.
10/10/2022
We are still full of impressions from the successful event.
ČSOB also liked it, and we share a very nice reaction.
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Dear colleagues,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for organizing such a great volunteer day last Friday.
We were all part of a flawless organization, our work was visible, we learned something new and on top of that, we made some excellent cider.
I would like to thank both organizations that prepared a great day for us (great people).
And I would be happy for any further activity in this direction. We even talked about walks that are organized by them or other lectures.
I would be happy to participate in everything, so please let me know about any other possible events. And I also speak for Evi B., who was just as excited as I was. :-)
Thank you very much once again!
NICE DAY.
Dana
***
Thank you very much. Dana, Jane, and everyone who got involved in the work and will come again! A very interesting community of employees, neighbors, and citizens can be created around the project and the land, who will together arrange this place as we designed in the project.
will be a place for people and nature. Well, that's our shared dream.
14/10/2022
Good news. A school project from U Santošky Elementary School in Prague 5 will be heading to the ČSOB garden. The students will monitor life and plants there and write a report about it. As a reward, they will look at the roof of the bank and learn about the ecology of the building. So keep your fingers crossed for them that the weather will be kind.
24/10/2022
Today, a project day for U Santošky Elementary School took place in the gardens of ČSOB, but also on the roof of NHQ (headquarters).
The children from the project team first watched the amazing film Planeta Praha, directed by Jan Hošek and directed by Jiří Petr.
This interesting film shows how nature is doing in the capital. The fact that it is getting better and better is also thanks to the active involvement of companies in supporting nature and biodiversity, see this project.
Then the children went to the bank, where they were welcomed by Paulína. Together with her, they climbed onto the roof, where they learned how the roof of office spaces can be green and full of life. After all, 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 took them through the nooks and crannies that nature created there.
The children were also interested in the beehives where the bumblebees lived this year. They were also impressed by the beautiful view towards Malvazinky and the garden to the bank.
The team said goodbye to Paulina, thanked her, and set off on their tasks. They mapped the garden and completed various tasks there.
On the way to school, they stopped at Ondra and his wife Vlaďka's "pančelka" in the garden. Ondra gave them a short explanation about bumblebees. To make it not so easy, the children competed. Not only the winners of the competition, but the entire project team now knows how long bumblebees live and also what kind of bumblebees were seen on the roof of the bank this year.
It was a clique that the team didn't lose several times, it was always by a hair's breadth
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 work in 4 smaller teams, mixed from different classes.
We look forward to the results and hopefully we can process them in a way that they can share with the bank. This would connect everything – nature, citizens, students, employees and a large company.
We thank Paulína, who was an excellent guide, and also Jana, who supported the project!
School project - U Santošky Elementary School in the bank
Photo: M. Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
School project - U Santošky Elementary School in the bank
Photo: M. Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
School project - Elementary School U Santošky among bombophiles
Photo: M. Říhová and V. Hercogová (24/10/2022)
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25/10/2022
There was no idle time at U Santošky Elementary School today. Each project team chose its own topic, which they worked on independently. Even though the topics were different, they had one common denominator – nature and experiences from the previous day.
It was all good and definitely worth repeating.
Here you can enjoy what the children have made. Well, admit it yourself, it's great!
School project of the U Santošky Primary School
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School project of the U Santošky Primary School
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School project of the U Santošky Primary School
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
School project of the U Santošky Primary School
Photo: V. Hercogová (25/10/2022)
1/11/2022
Tomorrow, the ČSOB land will be sown. We are preparing additional stakes to mark out the areas that will be created there.
Hopefully, no one will drown in this.
Dosev
Photo: O. Hercog (1/11/2022)
2/11/2022
We are starting the garden planting!
November is the best time for such an event. But first, the surface must be disturbed so that the seeds reach the bare soil. The plants struggle quite a bit with this, the soil is very clayey and sticky.
Vojta marked out the area that will be landscaped in this way. Irregular islands will be created, which will be sown 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 satisfied. Ondra promised to make small information boards with a link to our website. Vojta doesn't like signs, but he'll get used to them. The main thing is that everyone can easily find out what's going on here. Thanks to that, we'll involve them in the next event. Plus, people are curious. We'll be happy for any help.
Sowing November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/11/2022)
Sowing November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/11/2022)
Sowing November 2022
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/11/2022)
The destination is an orchard with a flowery meadow
Photo: V. Koštíř
8/11/2022
Together with the bank, we are planning the project activities for 2023. By January, we have more experience and the bank also has a greater appetite to join us in other events. So keep your fingers crossed that we are not stopped by a recession. Changes are already visible on the land, so hopefully the project will not stop in its tracks.
Biodiversity Support Project Concept – Status and Plans for 2023
Biodiversity Support Project Concept – Status and Plans for 2023
17/11/2022
Another sowing took place. The centers, under Vojta's leadership, prepared more "beds", which they then sowed with purchased seeds.
The weather was not very kind to us, so we were unable to get more hands to work. But the Farkáňský spolek will get involved if we plan another event outside of working hours. Alice, Martina and Tereza, as well as Hanka, help us with the involvement of locals , so we are happy to create an opportunity for them.
27/11/2022
Recently, the plot was replanted, but something was missing. That's why we decided to do a marketing campaign. We prepared small promotional flyers, laminated them, and Ondra placed them on stakes.
Look, it took off right away and pedestrians could immediately find out what was going on there. And that was our goal – to tell the public why the land is now maintained differently and why it looks different.
We consider it necessary to communicate our goals and activities to the general public and gain their support and interest. Although we don't have "Mára" in our ranks, we hope we can still manage it.
Marketing of the project on the land
Photo: O. Hercog (27/11/2020)
Marketing of the project on the land
Photo: O. Hercog (27/11/2020)
Marketing of the project on the land
Photo: O. Hercog (27/11/2020)
Marketing of the project on the land
Photo: O. Hercog (27/11/2020)
9/12/2022
We are presenting the plans and draft budget for 2023 at the bank. This year, we have received a lot of ideas together that can be implemented together. It certainly won't reach everyone, but the cooperation is inspiring and so hopefully it will reach at least those with the greatest benefit.
At the same time, we are introducing a project to support rare butterfly species. We are not directly involved in it, but we want to support it together.
Will it work? Keep your fingers crossed!
16/12/2022
We meet Paulina in the bank gardens to wish each other a Merry Christmas. It's winter outside and the gardens are covered in snow.
See for yourself how beautiful it is there, and we are just a short distance from the center. The gardens and nature in them are sleeping today - resting and looking forward to spring.
If the project goes as well as it did this year, things will be even more interesting and richer here in 2023 - for people and nature.
Thank you to everyone who is working with us on the project or supporting it in any way. It's a nice feeling when we are creating something new together with all of you, or returning nature to where it belongs.
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16/12/2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16/12/2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16/12/2022)
ČSOB Gardens under the snow
Photo: O. Hercog (16/12/2022)
