Bonn's South Cemetery received a distinction this year from the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) as a butterfly-friendly place. However, these insects are not the only species that are welcome in the enclave of local biodiversity.

Parts of Bonn's southern cemetery look traditional - stone headstones and alleyways. However, all the free space is dedicated to local insect, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species. The grass is only mowed where necessary, flower meadows are sown to feed pollinating insects.

Bee hives can be found in the tall grass and there are also "hotels" for other bugs. A pile of boulders is a dedicated refuge for lizards, snakes and insects. Foxes, martens, hedgehogs, mice and other small animals have cavities they can occupy in the branches of the trees.

An artificial pond has been created to house frogs and toads. Access to water is invaluable on hot days for all the cemetery's wild inhabitants. A pair of Egyptian geese have taken up residence on the shore.

The unusual cemetery was visited by Polsat News reporter Adriana Borowicz. She spoke to Jorg Bauer from the Environment and Greenery Authority in Bonn, who revealed that when the news broke that the cemetery would also serve other functions than that of a traditional resting place, the authority received many questions from concerned locals.

However, today the residents are happy with the transformation of the cemetery. Meichten Renberg, a visitor to the cemetery, commented for Polsat: "It's a fantastic idea. After all, man is connected to nature. Older people can come here, sit on a bench and look at nature".

Source: zielona.interia.pl