Project blog - how the cooperation went in 2024
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- How did the project fare in 2024?
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Last updated: 20/8/2024
Year three - 2024
January 2024
1/1/2024
Welcome to 2024!
We wish everyone all the BEST and of course our project, which is entering its third year of existence.
The third year will not be easy because it is easy to rest on our laurels and we really do not want that and cannot afford that.
The scope of activities is growing, but so are the demands and possibilities for strengthening biodiversity in Radlice - together with you!
We are expanding the blog to include other editors, so it will be richer and more diverse!
Ondra and Paulína and the team
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Photo: V. Koštíř (19/04/2023)
10/1/2024
We have a new member in the project team. He is Matouš Marek.
Matouš's domain is primarily botany, which he studied and which he is professionally involved in.
Matthew Marek
Mgr. Matouš Marek
In addition to being a carpenter, he studied geobotany (plant ecology) at the Faculty of Science of Charles University in 2023. He wrote his diploma thesis on the topic of supporting steppe vegetation through grazing. He currently tries to spend as much time as possible in nature, is a field botanist and is expanding his horizons in the widest possible range of Czech biotopes.
He has a long-term interest in nature conservation and biotopes as a whole. He participates in various managements, especially in the Prague and Central Bohemian regions. He likes to organize events for the public, for example in a community orchard and an associated dwelling, the “apiary”.
Petra is still in the project, but she will only participate as a guest. Her catering is irreplaceable.
O.
12/1/2024
The forest steppe is still being worked on. The cut material is being chipped. The center has its hands full right now. It will be a chore to clear the places that have become overgrown with bushes. But there are islands of vegetation there that we are leaving there. As well as some bushes - extensive remediation would lead to erosion and that would be a disservice to the place.
O.
Biodiversity support project with ČSOB
Photo: O. Hercog (12/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (12/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (12/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (12/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (12/01/2024)
13/1/2024
Michal and I are walking up the slope. There is still a lot of wood that needs to be pulled down. The Jaro group will arrive and we will work hard.
But it's beautiful to see it being born and a dream coming true. Before, it was impossible to walk here and there was an incredible mess here - just look at the photos from 2023 .
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
It has been repeatedly confirmed that when we communicate our work and explain what is happening there, the locals support us.
That's why we also write about our activities on Facebook Čmeláci PLUS and on social networks, where neighbors from Farkáně and Malvaziny also meet.
Thanks to this, some of the wood chips were taken by neighbors and we did not receive any complaints from the surrounding area.
O.
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
Cleared forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/01/2024)
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14/01/2024
Michal and Paulina are dealing with the condition of some trees. It's one thing to let old wood stand as a home for insects, but we also need to think about the safety of those who move around here.
Michal is an arborist, so we'll get started on this together with the bank.
O.
Work for arborists
Photo: O. Hercog (14/01/2024)
Work for arborists
Photo: O. Hercog (14/01/2024)
16/1/2024
We have earwigs on our property and nibbling on fruit trees.
Michal goes into action to save what he can
O.
The Ušáci are officiating
Photo: O. Hercog (16/1/2024)
28/1/2024
The changes in the forest-steppe are clearly visible. The original jungle is being replaced by places where the forest-steppe and the biotope that belongs there are returning.
There will still be a lot of work to do, but none of us are afraid of that.
O.
Lesostep Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (28/012024)
February 2024
11/2/2024
It's cold and wet outside, but it's high time to start sowing seeds on our property.
The seeds from the fall have taken root and are already germinating, now we are adding more.
IN.
Spring sowing 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (11/2/ 2024)
Spring sowing 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (11/2/ 2024)
Spring sowing 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (11/2/ 2024)
18/02/2024
After the playground is finished, it will be necessary to reseed part of the terrain. The soil there is disturbed, so it will go quite quickly. We will use part of the Prague mixture that we have for this place.
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
But spring is already sprouting on the land. We are waiting to see what emerges from the autumn sowing. And as you can see, we are not waiting alone. 😀
The comfrey is also waking up, as is the nest of forest ants that we are taking care of there.
O.
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
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Spring in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (18/02/2024)
1-2/2024
We started the third year of our project full of enthusiasm and optimism. The project has grown to dimensions that we could not have dreamed of 2 years ago, at the very beginning of the project. A great team from the professional conservation group JARO Jaroměř, who traveled to us several times from Jaroměř near Hradec, cleared almost 1.5 hectares of overgrown forest and forest-steppe of all bushes and debris. We left part of the cut material in place to serve as a shelter for hedgehogs, snakes and invertebrates.
We had a really huge amount of wood, so we dragged a large part of it down to Frička. Throughout January and February, Centra tirelessly chipped and distributed the prepared wood chips to green areas wherever possible.
The effect of the work exceeded our expectations. The forest-steppe finally started to look like a forest-steppe – the space is finally passable, we got rid of a huge amount of biomass. We left only promising trees, old apricots, or oaks of a rare columnar shape.
P.
2/2024
The preparation of the Prague mixture for our project is here!
We received an offer from the capital city of Prague to participate in a project aimed at preparing specific mixtures of Prague meadow flowers and subsequent sowing in Prague locations. Our land was selected for this pioneering project and under the leadership of RNDr. Petr Karlík from the Czech Institute of Natural Sciences, a special mixture of meadow flowers specific to our location was designed. Meadow flowers are grown and seeds are prepared by the social enterprise Envira ops. We are glad that the city and the academic sphere have noticed our project and perceive it as positive and beneficial for people and nature.
Vojta and Matouš immediately grabbed a rake and sowed the forest-steppe and our meadows during early spring.
P.
Preparing the mixture for the project
Photo: P. Jirsová (2/2024)
18/2/2024
Preparing hives for the season
We met with Paulina and other interested parties from ČSOB about caring for bumblebee hives in the bank's premises. We discussed what a proper bumblebee hive looks like, what it must have, and most importantly, how to prepare it for the next season. There was also a practical demonstration. We covered the inside of the hive with paper cartons, installed an "elevator" and put in high-quality filling. Our group also aroused the interest of passing ČSOB employees who wanted to learn more about bumblebees, so the short meeting turned into a small seminar about bumblebees with our wonderful lecturer Ondřej.
P.
I guess I can only add that we worked together on preparing the hives. The goal was to enjoy and experience it.
We infected other people with our love for the bumblebees – bombusophilia. Even those who just walked by us were interested and learned something.
O.
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
Joint preparation of hives before the season
Photo: O. Hercog (28/02/2024)
March 2024
6/3/2024
Is it winter or spring?
This year everything is accelerated again.
Matouš and I are working on the property and the sun and work are keeping us warm. We are happy to see how things are changing for the better here.
IN.
Work on the forest-steppe March 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (6/3/ 2024)
Work on the forest-steppe March 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (6/3/ 2024)
Work on the forest-steppe March 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (6/3/ 2024)
Work on the forest-steppe March 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (6/3/ 2024)
11/3/2024
We are sowing the Prague Mix. It's actually something like the Prague Selection, right? 😀
I have two mixtures. One is sown in selected areas of the forest-steppe and the other around the children's playground.
So we'll see how it goes. Matouš will collect data and will certainly share the results with us.
What's in the mix for lestostep?
- Anthyllis vulneraria (Anthyllis vulneraria)
- Common beetroot (Betonica officinalis)
- Filipendula vulgaris (Filipendula vulgaris)
- Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)
- Melica transsilvanica
- Onobrychis viciifolia (Onobrychis viciifolia)
- Proliferating clove ( Petrorhagia prolifera)
- Wood sage (Salvia nemorosa)
- Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis)
- Verticillata sage (Salvia verticillata)
- Sanguisorba minor (Sanguisorba minor)
- Yellow-headed Scabiosa (Scabiosa ochroleuca)
- Mullein (Verbascum lychnitis)
Anthyllis vulnerari (Anthyllis vulnerari)
Photo: Wiki
Common beetroot (Betonica officinalis)
Photo: Wiki
Common plantain (Filipendula vulgaris)
Photo: WIki
Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)
Photo: Wiki
Melica transsilvanica
Photo: V. Herman
Onobrychis viciifolia (Onobrychis viciifolia)
Photo: Wiki
Proliferating clove (Petrorhagia prolifera)
Photo: J. Cibulka
Wood sage (Salvia nemoros) Caradonna
Photo: Havliš Gardening
Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis)
Photo: Wiki
Verticillata sage (Salvia verticillata)
Photo: Wiki
Sanguisorba minor (Sanguisorba minor)
Photo: Wiki
Yellow-headed Scabiosa (Scabiosa ochroleuca)
Photo: Wiki
Mullein (Verbascum lychnitis)
Photo: V. Herman
11/3/2024
This year, spring will be quick. Violets and snowdrops are already blooming in our garden, and trees are budding. Hopefully, Mrs. Winter won't come back and burn everything down like she did last year.
O.
Spring in the garden
Photo: P. Jirsová (3/2024)
Spring in the garden
Photo: P. Jirsová (3/2024)
Spring in the garden
Photo: P. Jirsová (3/2024)
15/3/2024
Time flies like crazy. It's mid-March, so get those Prague Mix seeds into the soil!
We will keep some for the fall to increase the chance of success. We are working together with Matouš and are looking forward to spring. Matouš marks the sowing sites - he will monitor what is caught there.
The soil must first be disturbed so that the seeds have a chance. We use HW from Ondra, which makes our base.
IN.
Sowing the Radlice forest-steppe with the Prague mixture
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/3/2024)
Sowing the Radlice forest-steppe with the Prague mixture
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/3/2024)
Sowing the Radlice forest-steppe with the Prague mixture
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/3/2024)
Sowing the Radlice forest-steppe with the Prague mixture
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/3/2024)
16/3/2024
We all have our own bias. Ours manifests itself in the fact that we go and sneeze on "our" land whenever we can.
We gradually discover that this is how it is for all of us – Paulína, Michal, Vojta, Matouš and Ondra.
But hey, it's nice to see the work done.
But we still have more work to do – the stumps left after the pruning.
O.
The Radlice forest steppe is awakening
Photo: O. Hercog (16/3/2024)
The Radlice forest steppe is awakening
Photo: O. Hercog (16/3/2024)
21/3/2024
Let's go Czech Republic
Our forest-steppe became much brighter after our intervention in the winter and unfortunately showed piles of garbage lying there in the thicket of bushes. Most of the waste was from homeless people who occasionally "slept" there. We decided to do something about it. We announced a volunteer day as part of the Let's Clean Up the Czech Republic event. We found a team of indomitable guys from ČSOB who worked really hard and cleared our steppe of huge piles of garbage, including various mattresses, clothes, etc. The guys are definitely not giving up, and we even managed to make a new composter on the steppe with them.
P.
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Cleaning the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (21 03 2024)
Let's clean up the Czech Republic 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (21/3/2024)
Let's clean up the Czech Republic 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (21/3/2024)
3-4/2024
Queen capture March-April
In March and early April we caught bumblebee queens. This year Paulina had two great helpers from the staff: Martin and Katka. The first attempt to settle a bumblebee queen was successful the first time. The queen quickly liked the red hive, we observed the orientation flight and the next day we registered signs of doubt in the hive.
We had more "fun" with the blue hive. Several attempts at settling in ended in failure. Once, we accidentally wanted to put a nice bumblebee in the hive. When we had no hope of success, we were happy to find out that the hive was occupied by a queen bumblebee. She probably returned to the nest from which she flew out last year.
Nature is amazing
P.
Capturing a bumblebee queen
Photo: P. Jirsová (14/3/2024)
Capturing a bumblebee queen
Photo: P. Jirsová (14/3/2024)
Spring in the garden
Photo: P. Jirsová (3/2024)
Spring in the garden
Photo: P. Jirsová (3/2024)
23/3/2024
Ondra met with Michal. They planned further events. As you can see, Michal has contracted bombusophilia (love of bumblebees) and is trying out the starting position.
O.
Michal is flying
Photo: O. Hercog (23/3/2024)
24/3/2024
Ondra went to help clean up a designated meadow near SHQ. In addition to work, we talk about supporting habitats for pollinators and butterflies.
A short distance from us is a bank and Prokopské údolí, as well as the NHQ garden. All within flying distance, so we are creating another island that will help the spread of insects.
O.
Work to support butterflies – Source ZUC
April 2024
5/4/2024
The boys made another composter out of felled wood. It will come in handy when we start digging up the forest-steppe. There is a lot of moss growing under the bushes
O.
New composter in the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (5/4/ 2024)
12/4/2023
Today, Pavlina and Ondra met with Mr. Petr Hutla, CEO and member of the board of directors of ČSOB. Thanks to his support and interest, our project continues and develops.
It was a civil meeting and a conversation about what the bank has done for its community, what our project plans are, and where we can go together.
Ondra thanked our project for its support and also for Jana Endtová, Paulína Jirsová, and Slávk Holík, without whom it would not have been possible.
O.
Petr Hutla, member of the board of directors of ČSOB as.
24/4/2024
Vojta stopped by the forest-steppe in the evening. Although it was dark, he took a few photos of the buttercups blooming and the cinquefoils that will soon bloom.
O.
Early evening visit to the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (24/4/2024)
Early evening visit to the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (24/4/2024)
Early evening visit to the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (24/4/2024)
Early evening visit to the forest-steppe
Photo: V. Koštíř (24/4/2024)
26/4/2024
We are looking at the fruit trees planted in the fall as part of a volunteer day. Unfortunately, the winter was dry and some did not bear fruit. We will be replanting them.
O.
Not all new trees on the property survived
Photo: O. Hercog (26/4/2024)
May 2024
10/5/2024
The Bombus Blue group has already undergone training and is placing bumblebees in the hive on the roof.
You will find out later how they are doing.
O.
Settlement of the mother bumblebee
Photo: M. Tesař (10/5/2024)
Bumblebee Blue team in action
Photo: Paulína and Martin (03-05 2024)
Bumblebee Blue team in action
Photo: Paulína and Martin (03-05 2024)
13/5/2024
We are getting ready for a volunteer day. We gathered for it at our favorite forest steppe.
Vojta brought a strip of steppe plant seedlings, we got water from Ondra and planted them in selected places to supplement the sowing.
Hopefully the plants will thrive there – we'll let you know.
O.
Work on the forest steppe
Photo: O. Hercog (13/5/2024)
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15/5/2024
And here is the first harvest!
Our cooperation with CENTRA is already going well. The guys understood what we needed and adapted. Thanks to this, we mow where it is needed and, conversely, let what needs to be sown bloom.
Thanks to this, our queen conchs shine like the sun, and we are delighted with it - along with the pollinators.
IN.
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
Harvest May 2024
Photo: V. Koštíř (15/5/2024)
15/5/2024
A walk among the herbs
In May, we held a traditional herb and flora walk in Na Farkáně Park with our great guide Michal. This year, we were pleased to have a visit from Mr. Petr Hutla, a member of the ČSOB board of directors for sustainability, who came to greet the walk participants and express his support for our project, which he sees as necessary and important for sustainability.
Thank you Michal for a nice walk and interesting story.
P.
16/5/2024
Volunteer Day - Spring ČSOB 16.5.2024
We finally got to see our first volunteer day – spring 2024. The weather was a bit of a bummer this year. We originally planned the volunteer day for the end of April, but a very cold front and unplanned frosts suddenly arrived, so we decided to postpone it.
It paid off and during the entire volunteer day we had nice sunshine and our work went smoothly. The ČSOB team, consisting mostly of women, did a lot of the necessary work.
We built more composters on the slopes of the forest-steppe and filled them right up to bursting point. We raked in a lot of moss and dead grass to prepare the soil for sowing and give the meadow a chance to naturally regenerate.
P.
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: O. Hercog (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: O. Hercog (16/5/2024) Ondřej Hercog 16 05 2024 (2)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
Volunteer Day Spring 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/5/2024)
21/5/2024
Ondra filmed a program about bumblebees at the Sulická Senior Citizens' Home today. It's not closely related to this project, but it's about bumblebees for whom the bank provided a shelter thanks to our project
Finally, take a look for yourself and see in the ČT Archive – the program "Z metropole"
O.
Bumblebees in DS Sulická
Source: ČT From the metropolis
Bumblebees in DS Sulická
Source: ČT From the metropolis
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25/5/2025
Bumblebees PLUS are at an event at the National Agricultural Museum in Prague. This is also an opportunity to promote projects to support biodiversity and also this joint project of ours.
O.
I'm eating honey 2024
Source NZN
June 2024
4/6/2024
A charity run to support biodiversity is taking place at Waltrovka Kindergarten. Ondra took a number of materials there to support and promote our project. Waltrovka is a short distance from us and many parents know the ČSOB gardens at least from "walking the children".
O.
Waltrovka Kindergarten - Benefit Run for Biodiversity 2024
Photo: O. Hercog (4/6/ 2024)
6/6/2024
On the plot, in the part where the path to the playground was created, a sea of red poppies has bloomed. It's not our job, but it's a joy to watch bumblebees and woodpeckers grazing there.
The garden is now full of colors, it's a feast for the eyes. The surroundings of the bank are very nice. History, modern times and nature come together there.
O.
Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/ 2024)
Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/ 2024)
Woodpecker on a poppy
Photo: O. Hercog (06/06/2024)
Flood of red poppies
Photo: O. Hercog (06/06/2024)
Common edelweiss (Echium vulgare) – Bank Garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Woolly purslane (Stachys byzantina) – Bank garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Poppy – Bank Garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) – Bank garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Bank garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Anthyllis vulneraria – Bank Garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Variegated chickweed (Securigera varia) – Bank garden in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
Tuberous pea (Lathyrus tuberosus)
Photo: O. Hercog (23/6/2024)
Radlice Bank Garden
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
6/6/2024
sown cockscomb (Rhinanthus alectorolophus) is already ripening on the plot . This year it is earlier than last year, so we need to collect the seeds in time to have seed for next year. Ondra has already started collecting. He is a Holt Risk manager and so he thinks ahead.
😀
O.
Cockerel legume ( Rhinanthus alectorolophus) On the plot in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (06/ 06/2024)
Cockerel legume ( Rhinanthus alectorolophus) On the plot in Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (06/ 06/2024)
12/6/2024
A walk behind butterflies
In June, it was time for another walk. This time Vojta took us to see the butterflies. In the morning we prayed that there would be anything flying around (it was cloudy and raining). But then the weather cleared up and we could enjoy a walk in the sunshine in the meadows full of butterflies. For example, the common and common wagtails really liked our meadows. It was a very nice sight – blooming meadows and a large number of butterflies – that's what we had been taking care of all those previous years.
We walked around the property and talked a little more about how participants can support biodiversity in their own gardens, city lots, or even balconies. Then we continued to the forest-steppe, where Vojt managed to catch an adult roe deer. Towards the end of the walk, RNDr. Karlík visited us, who supplemented Vojt's story with a few other interesting facts. He also came to assess the condition of our forest-steppe and was pleasantly surprised that the seedlings that we obtained from the city and planted in the forest-steppe had taken root.
P.
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: V. Koštíř (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: V. Koštíř (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: V. Koštíř (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: V. Koštíř (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: P. Jirsová (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: P. Jirsová (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: P. Jirsová (12/6/2024)
A walk among the butterflies
Photo: P. Jirsová (12/6/2024)
14/6/2024
The forest-steppe is turning green. Some trees and shrubs are responding to pruning. When the time comes, we will start the next cleaning.
It's a good thing the guys set up another composter under the forest-steppe. It's close by and on a warm slope. Insects will thrive there, and perhaps lizards, blind rats, and snakes too.
O.
Lesosteppe Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (14/6/2024)
Lesosteppe Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (14/6/2024)
15/6/2024
Ondra was checking the hives on the roof of the bank. The bumblebees are doing well, no intervention was needed. The nests of both the ground and rock bumblebees are both cajk.
There was still time to see where the bumblebees feed. They don't even have to take the elevator down to the garden. They just have to collect on the roof on the 5th floor.
The photos are taken in the dark, but I hope you forgive me – hive inspections are done in the evening 🙂
O.
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
Bumblebees on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (16/6/2024)
16/6/2024
Volunteer Day – Give and Gain
Motivated by the successful spring volunteer day, we decided to go further and join the nationwide Give & Gain Day 2024 initiative. The national corporate volunteer day Give & Gain Day was held for the fourteenth time this year. It is one of the most important events within the framework of corporate social responsibility, which multiplies in one day and across the country responsible companies and their volunteers to significantly engage in supporting and helping public benefit organizations and local communities.
15 interested parties from various companies signed up for our volunteer day. They included: Bonett Group as, COMMERZBANK Aktiengesellschaft, Prague branch, ING Bank NV, Pluxee Česká republika as, Procter & Gamble Czech Republic sro, Pure Storage Czech Republic sro.
Our main idea was to introduce other companies to our project and thus spread awareness about what a real and meaningful project to support biodiversity should look like. More and more companies are addressing sustainability and supporting biodiversity, and we would like their projects to be well thought out and have a positive impact on nature.
Our volunteers helped us collect cocklebur seeds and we also made another composter and dug again... This year we are still digging for the past year, but it is worth it, we are already looking forward to the effects next year.
P.
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
Volunteer Day Give and Gain 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (16/6/ 2024)
22/6/2024
It can live in a cemetery too. We met in the park in Farkán with the guys who work on the development of green areas in the Prague cemeteries and it was very inspiring for both parties. Just like our park, the cemetery area can be an oasis of nature in an urban environment. The photo is from the Ďáblické cemetery and the local flowery scattering meadow.
M.
Flowering meadow at the cemetery in Dáblice
Photo: M. Plundra (20/06/2024)
26/6/2024
Cockscomb legume seeds – we are already collecting them, drying them and preparing them for autumn. They must be in the soil before frost, otherwise they will not germinate in spring.
O.
Cockerel (Rhihantus alectorolophus) – Seeds
Photo: O. Hercog (23/6/2024)
Cornflower (Rhihantus alectorolophus) – Seeds
Photo: O. Hercog (23/6/2024)
26/6/2024
Our garden will be on TV in the program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"!
A segment about plants for bumblebees and how we can help them was filmed there. The larger part will probably be from Jakub Černý's garden in Mukařov.
It was a very pleasant conversation with Petr Pěknic and also the opportunity to watch how the professional team works.
We filmed it well, so hopefully it will show in the result. The show will also include drone footage, so we are really looking forward to it!
As always, the problem was getting the cameraman into the car. It was the same as always – they shoot as long as there is space on the memory card or juice in the battery. But it also flew well on the spurs.
O.
The garden will be on the Czech Television program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"
Photo: O. Hercog (26/6/2024)
The garden will be on the Czech Television program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"
Photo: O. Hercog (26/6/2024)
The garden will be on the Czech Television program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"
Photo: O. Hercog (26/6/2024)
The garden will be on the Czech Television program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"
Photo: O. Hercog (26/6/2024)
July 2024
11/7/2024
Volunteer Day with Raiffeisen Bank 11.7.2024
In July, another small group of enthusiastic volunteers was found, this time from the Raiffeisen Bank. The forest steppe, which we had so carefully cleaned, gradually became overgrown with young trees during the summer, and therefore it was necessary to get rid of the young trees and coat the stumps with herbicide so that they would not sprout again. Yes, we do not like chemicals, but in this case we could not do without them. Šimon from Jaro JAROMĚŘ also came to help us with this and instructed us how to proceed.
The girls, because we had a 100% female volunteer team, worked really hard and they deserve a lot of admiration, because the temperatures were tropical that day. As a reward, we all went to see the green roof of the bank and check the bumblebee hives.
P.
Raifeissen Volunteer Day 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (11/7/2024)
Raifeissen Volunteer Day 2024
Photo: P. Jirsová (11/7/2024)
11/7/2024
Matouš works on the property monitoring the flora.
If you find such signs there, please leave them in place,
O,
Marking of grassy areas
Photo: M. Marek (11/7/2024
18/7/2024
Summer is in full swing. Many flowers are no longer pushing the energy from the sun into growth, but into the next generation. They are forming fruits and seeds. The ones we want need to be nurtured, and the ones we don't need to be cut.
The Center and its cutters are finally making progress. The woody plants are also starting to store energy in their roots. If we want to eliminate them completely, now is the time to feed them a little herbicide so that they die off and do not tend to form. The steppe herbaceous communities will then have space and the slope above the bank, which we started clearing in the winter, will be a lot more diverse again.
M.
Work on ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (18/07/2024)
Work on ČSOB land
Photo: M. Plundra (18/07/2024)
22/7/2024
Ondra checks the hives on the roof in the evening. The bumblebees are doing well there, they are well cared for and the Blue Bombus team takes good care of them. The bumblebees got a treat and a kiss goodnight.
Night visits to the bank are always an experience. The bank, which is otherwise bustling, is quiet. But things are lively on the roof. It's hard to believe that you're not in a garden somewhere, but on the roof of the bank building.
Sugar is a source of energy for bumblebees. Without it, they won't be able to reach the pollen they need as a source of protein for their brood.
O.
Inspection of beehives on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (22/7/2024)
Inspection of beehives on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (22/7/2024)
Inspection of beehives on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (22/7/2024)
Inspection of beehives on the roof of a bank
Photo: O. Hercog (22/7/2024)
25/7/2024
In the neighborhood of SHQ there is a location managed by "butterfly lovers" and about which we wrote on FB, for example here: https://www.facebook.com/
The blue-winged tern (Polyommatus thersites) and the relatively rare black-and-white firefly (Lycaena dispar) are found here. This firefly cannot be seen even in the protected Prokopské Valley.
Together with the ZÚČ, we will prepare a plan for mowing around SHQ so that this area can also become their home.
Paulina and I are already working on it, and next year we could start it together with the butterfly farmers.
O.
Black-and-white fireweed (Lycaena dispar)
Photo: M. Palička
Thersite bluebird (Polyommatus thersite)
Photo: Z. Cebeci
.
26/7/2024
Ondra goes out to the plot to collect plant seeds before the harvest. There is a lot of ostrožka, which is gradually being seeded and from which we want to make another mother plant - a bed for propagation.
In some places there is a lot of poppy. We did not sow it there, but we will use it in a similar way.
O.
Poppy by the road to the property
Photo: O. Hercog (26/7/2024)
Poppy by the road to the property
Photo: O. Hercog (26/7/2024)
Spinach seeds
Photo: O. Hercog (26/7/2024)
Spinach seeds
Photo: O. Hercog (26/7/2024)
27/7/2024
Today, another part of the mowing is taking place on the land. The event is managed by Vojta and again implemented by CENTRA.
This year, the cooperation with CENTRA is going well. It is confirmed that if someone is supervising, the gardening work goes well and everything is as it should.
We let the spurge ripen, as well as the cornflowers that are still blooming. Likewise, the cocklebur – it also still has its time.
O.
Ostrožka
Photo: O. Hercog (6/6/2024)
30/7/2024
CENTRA has cut down the vegetation in areas that we do not manage. Where the path to the children's playground was created last year, it is bare and dry, which some people at the bank do not like.
There was a poppy growing there, where Ondra collected some seeds, and after cutting it, it's like a desert.
We understand that, so we'll try to agree on what and how to do it. There will still be work to be done there (the bridge to the playground) and so the question is how much to invest in it. Then it certainly makes sense to bring something that grows there to those places and create a green area.
O.
30/7/2024
ČM+ published a post on their FB page that seems unrelated to this project, but it's true!
Together, we are managing to move things forward relatively smoothly in Radlice, and it shows on the property.
A little further away is Waltrovka, which is managed by MČP5. The same company carries out the harvesting, but agreements are being made with great difficulty, but things are already going well and better times are ahead.
It beautifully demonstrates that when people who are interested and want to do something good meet, it always succeeds
Our joint project with the bank is therefore not only a reference project for biodiversity, but also for cooperation, willingness and ability to reach an agreement.
Thank you!
Post on ČM+: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fT5yo61iCa35mCm3/
Reaction from the Prague City Hall: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/eKNm16uBUG67gqXQ/
O.
August 2024
6/8/2024
Vojta was invited to Czech Radio. He is tasked with talking about this project, among other things.
We look forward to seeing him on the airwaves of ČR2 – the program "Coffee at Four o'clock"
Update:
Vojta spoke very well about our project - thanks 🙂
You can find the program in the audio archive here: https://www.mujrozhlas.cz/kava-o-ctvrte/vase-kazdodenni-inspirace-mestska-zelen
O.
Vojta and Patricia Strouhalová having coffee at four o'clock
.
20/8/2024
Vojta helped MČP5 today and CENTRA is cutting down on Waltrovec
The goal is to implement the same grass management there as we managed to apply in the CSOB garden.
O.
5/10/2024
Our project team is expanding with a new member. Vojto and Katka have just had a daughter, Maruška – congratulations and we wish the family good health, joy and happiness!
6/10/2024
Today, the program "What our grandmothers knew and what we forgot" is being broadcast on ČT1, in which you will also see the garden that our project with the bank is taking care of.
If you missed the show, you can find it in the ČT archive .
The garden will be on the Czech Television program "What our grandmothers knew how to do and what we have forgotten"
Photo: O. Hercog (26/6/2024)
11/10/2024
Vojta and Matouš are heading out to the forest-steppe. They will sow the second part of the Prague mixture. The first one has mostly taken root and this sowing will fill in the places where the spring sowing did not take root.
12/10/2024
Centers set out to mow designated grass areas
17/10/2024
Volunteer Day Fall 2024 is here!
In the morning, we meet as always at the summer oak tree, which is our standard "meeting point". The first one is on the spot, Ondra, the others arrive gradually. Traffic to Radlická is now a real hell on earth.
It's nice and clear, but autumn is already on its way, so it's quite fresh in the morning.
Unfortunately, Paulína will not be there this year, viruses are rampant, so we preferred to leave her at home in the warmth. Péťa is outside the Czech Republic, so we are without the girls, their smiles and catering. Unfortunately, the spring frosts deprived us of the apple harvest, the traditional cider.
Gradually, the team is meeting and we are fine-tuning the division of labor.
Ondra heads to the chapel. This year, in addition to talking about the project, he is also tasked with replacing Paulina during the work safety training. He was interested in the part where the participants of the event have to undergo a medical examination, so he actively takes part in it (the training). 17 people confirmed their participation and in the end 20 came – great!
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
After the necessary administration and introduction, we get to work, there is no time for idleness. Michal, Vojta and Matouš will present their plans and the event participants will join them.
Michal takes care of planting new trees, eliminating knotweed, pruning, and cleaning birdhouses.
This year he got a lot of extra pieces, mostly old and interesting varieties:
A pair of volunteers go through the 30+ birdhouses on the property and clean them. It's a lot of work, but very useful. In a row of boxes they find the remains of bumblebee nests, infested with the parasitic wasp . Ondra then shows everyone the entangled caterpillars and explains how such a parasite lives in a bumblebee nest.
We are also starting to eliminate the winged plant . It appeared in two places on the property, so we are eliminating this invasive plant.
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
Matouš chose a group of "chamois" and together they set off to the forest-steppe. There is still a lot of material here that needs to be cleaned up and new young shoots eliminated.
Running up the slope was a challenge for everyone, so no one was cold.
Matouš is a botanist and so he showed where and how he had planted the Prague Mixture from this spring and where the boys had recently sown additional areas.
Ondra helped collect trash and, unfortunately, various ampoules. But there is much less such mess there, thanks to the cutting and lighting of the entire space.
Matouš also explained why there are markers on the forest-steppe and how he uses them for botanical research.
The group also started eliminating the young, which is a never-ending job – goats that can handle the young would be a great help here.
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
Vojt's domain is grass management. His team therefore set about mowing and raking selected areas, which they then sowed together.
lesser cockscomb (Rhinanthus minor) will also appear on the plot , which together with the legume cockscomb (Rhinanthus alectorolophus) will help suppress the lush grass. This will create space for other plants. We managed to multiply the legume cockscomb and so we are returning seeds to the plot from our mother plant. Hopefully, the same will be true for lesser cockscomb.
Rhinanthus alectorolophus (Rhinanthus alectorolophus)
Photo: Wiki
Lesser coneflower (Rhinanthus minor)
Photo Wiki
Vojta struggled with the machine to break up the soil, but what the machine couldn't do, the diligent hands of others did. Then we started sowing. As you can see, Vojta and his actions around resuscitating the machine were the center of attention 😀
There was also time left to lighten the lower part of the garden, where we want to open the way for the sun so that instead of impenetrable bushes on the ground, something blooms. We also prepared another beetle nest, i.e. leveled old wood, where beetle larvae will thrive. The stag beetle found, which everyone was interested in and which Vojta talked about, also served as a good motivation for this. We want to put the wood in the sun, because only then will it be interesting for the future generation of insects.
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
In the afternoon, our mascot Miki arrived, without whom we can't imagine our events. He helped my mother with her work, explored nature, and was everyone's friend.
But we were all a team. We did a lot of work, learned a lot about ourselves, about our joint project, about how to help nature.
Everyone was asking when the next event would be and how they could get involved, what they could do. Ondra said goodbye to everyone on behalf of the team who were already rushing home. A few people still stayed and it was another nice afternoon of chatting.
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
ČSOB Volunteer Day – Autumn – Prague Radlice
Photo: O. Hercog (17/10/2024)
We went home pleasantly tired, but satisfied and with a good feeling that we had succeeded again.
It really wasn't just about the work that was done. It was also about interesting meetings, creating friendships, and also about the opportunity for people to learn a lot of interesting things about our project and how to help nature during the work.
This year's volunteer day in Prague Radlice was exactly that. A lot of work was done, we met a lot of nice people who were sincerely interested and asked questions.
We are still full of impressions and positive energy - we thank everyone who was involved in some way and of course Paulína and Jana, without whom our project would not exist.
🙏😍
Volunteer Day Autumn 2024 is behind us, but we are already looking forward to Spring and further work together for a good cause!
Thank you everyone!
O.