FLIP meadow project

FLIP stands for “Promoting Quality of Life for Insects and People through Perfect Meadow Environments.” It is a project designed to transform public, private, and agricultural lands into species-rich meadows by 2026. Anyone can get involved: people with a garden, company grounds, a school, daycare center, or church property, agricultural land, or those who would like to sponsor a public space.

The aim is to create and maintain many small and large meadow areas in the city and city-region of Aachen. Because with a mosaic of meadows, we can provide a habitat for insects, arachnids and other small animals such as snails, soil creatures, as well as birds and mammals. If we look after these meadows and preserve them in the long term, we can ensure a diversity of native plant and animal species.

Up-to-date and comprehensive information

Project profile

• Project setting: The city and city region of Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia
• Term: April 2020 to March 2026
• Total financial volume: 2.5 million euros
• Coordinating project partner: RWTH Aachen University (Institute for Environmental Research and Chair of Communication Sciences)
• Network partners: City of Aachen (Stadtbetrieb Aachen and Department of Climate and Environment), Städteregion Aachen (Education Office and Environmental Office), Naturkundemuseum Karlsruhe (supra-regional public relations work)
• Funded by: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in the Federal Program on Biological Diversity

FLIP meadows

Would you like to create a meadow on your private property? Then you can obtain high-quality seed from us free of charge. We also offer workshops, events and practical tips. We help you to build a network to support each other.

These paths lead to a "FLIP meadow"

1. Free Seeds: Through fall 2026, we are providing free seeds to anyone who wants to create a meadow in the city of Aachen or the Aachen metropolitan area. You’ll sign a seed agreement (see the PDF in the download section) and commit to maintaining the meadow for at least five years.
2. If you are not sure whether the area is suitable for a meadow, we will be happy to advise you.
3. We will provide you with instructions on how to create and maintain a meadow and you are welcome to contact us at any time if you have any questions.
4. Through a diverse range of workshops, field trips, lectures, and events, we strive to foster interest in the meadow habitat, promote knowledge about it, and educate people on how to preserve it. All events.

FLIP meadow sponsorship

You don't have your own plot of land, but would like to maintain a meadow? Then you can sponsor a "FLIP meadow" on a public green space.

1. Do you have a public area in your neighborhood that is suitable for a meadow? Would you perhaps also like to preserve this meadow with your neighbors in the long term?
2. We check whether the area is suitable and whether there are any obstacles to converting it into a long grass meadow.
3. They create the meadow and maintain and preserve it in the long term, but for at least five years.
4. We, the City of Aachen, will conclude a sponsorship agreement with you.
5. Our newsletter keeps you informed about the progress of the project, events and information from other institutions on the subject of meadows.
6. Write to us at flip@mail.aachen.de if you would like to be added to the mailing list.

FLIP meadow backpack

For children of pre-school and primary school age

The meadow rucksack contains research tools to get to know the animals and plants of the meadow. These include magnifying glasses of various designs, identification cards and books, finger puppets and plastic animals.

Would you like to borrow one of six identical meadow rucksacks?

You can find the distribution points on the Aachen family city map on the geodata portal website. Click on one of the rucksack symbols to display the address and contact details of the relevant facility in the top right-hand corner of the window. The little bee symbols show you where you can find a nearby meadow.

Are you looking for ideas on how this rucksack can be used in nature education? Then take a look at our further education program or the teaching material "Lernort Wiese".

Further offers can be found under Learning from suitcases and boxes and at the education office of the StädteRegion Aachen.

Cost contribution for scythe course

Anyone who lives in the city or city-region of Aachen and takes a scythe course can receive a 50 euro contribution towards the costs via the FLIP project. A certificate of attendance and a receipt for payment of the course fee must be submitted to the City of Aachen, Department of Climate and Environment.

Germany-wide course offers can be found on the website of the German Scythe Association.

Mowing with a hand scythe is the gentlest method of grass cutting for insects and other meadow dwellers. The animals have time to escape, unlike with a motorized scythe.