SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 4, 2024 – In a united effort to promote sustainable gardening and water conservation, a coalition of leading German horticultural associations has released a comprehensive position paper outlining best practices for responsible irrigation and the development of resilient green infrastructure.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Industrieverband Garten (IVG) e.V., aims to educate consumers and municipalities about the importance of conserving water resources, especially in light of the increasing challenges posed by climate change and drought. The position paper was presented to Dr. Bettina Hoffmann MdB, Parliamentary State Secretaryat the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), on July 4th in Berlin, signifying the industry's commitment to working with policymakers to shape a national strategy for sustainable water management.
A Proactive Approach to Water Scarcity
"We are addressing garden owners and municipalities to raise awareness of their responsibility and to strengthen awareness of active design options," stated Anna Hackstein, Managing Director of IVG e.V. "The handover of the position paper to Dr. Bettina Hoffmann is intended to underline that we are relying on the support of politicians in our project."
The coalition emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address water scarcity, advocating for education and sustainable irrigation strategies over blanket bans. The goal is to empower individuals and communities to take ownership of their water usage and implement practices that protect this vital resource.
Informative Platform for Garden Watering
As part of their comprehensive approach, the associations have launched a dedicated website,www.wasserimgarten.info. This platform provides consumers with valuable information on sustainable and resource-saving garden irrigation techniques. Additionally, it offers tips on creating climate-resilient gardens that can withstand both drought and extreme weather events such as heavy rain and flooding.
The campaign boasts a strong alliance of industry leaders, including the Bund deutscher Baumschulen e.V. (BdB),Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e.V. (BGL), Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. (BHB), Herstellerverband Haus & Garten (HHG) e.V., Industrieverband Garten (IVG) e.V., Verband Deutscher Garten-Center e.V. (VDG), and Bundesverband Einzelhandelsgärtner e.V. (BVE). The position paper, outlining the collaborative vision for sustainable garden watering, is available on the websites of the participating associations.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaborative Effort: Leading German horticultural associations unite to promote sustainable garden watering practices.
- Education Over Bans: The initiative focuses on education and sustainable strategies rather than imposing restrictions.
- Information Platform: The website www.wasserimgarten.info provides valuable resources for consumers.
- Political Engagement: The position paper was presented to a key government official to foster collaboration on water conservation policies.
- Industry-Wide Commitment: A broad coalition of industry stakeholders demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainability.
This collaborative effort by German horticultural associations represents a significant step forward in promoting responsible water use and climate-resilient gardening practices. By focusing on education and collaboration, the initiative aims to create a sustainable future for gardening in the face of growing environmental challenges.