With almost 29,000 square meters, the "Kalkschutt-Buckelwiese" in the Stockheim district of Glauburg may not be the largest nature reserve in Hesse, but it is certainly one of the most species-rich.

At least that's what representatives of the local NABU group and the Lower Nature Conservation Authority thought, who are now presenting the youngest nature reserve in the Wetteraukreis.

The area captivates with meager meadows and a diverse flora and fauna.

Incidentally, the area did not get its name without reason.

After all, the limestone deposits in the soil, which are rather rare in the Wetterau, used to be mined there in order to dump the overburden elsewhere.

The limestone debris created a hilly landscape or humpback meadow that forms the basis for today's nature reserve.

In 2008, the site was used as pasture for sheep and horses and had been cleared of dense vegetation by the tenant at the time before it was leased by NABU.

Good basis for lean meadows

Biodiversity results primarily from the soil.

Above all, the lime deposits that stretch from the outskirts of Stockheim to Bleichenbach are a good basis for poor meadows, says Tim Mattern from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority.

No nutrient-consuming dominant plants grow there, so that less competitive species also have a chance.

"We knew immediately that this was a pearl and that we had to do something about it," says Mattern.

After the local nature conservationists had already done some preparatory work, listing plants and animals, the whole thing was placed in professional hands to create an expert opinion.

In the end, it was recognized that the area was an area that was particularly worthy of protection.

It is not possible without volunteer help

Kidney vetch is one of the species on the Red List of Threatened Species.

Cowslips and red-fruit dandelion can also be found in the area.

It is said that the latter only occurs in Germany.

In addition, 36 species of butterflies were counted.

"That's an extraordinarily high number for such a clear area," adds Mattern.

These include the rare short-tailed blue, the mallow skipper or the large tortoiseshell.

The animal world is also well represented on the rough meadows, which are lined with fruit trees.

Among others, the gold cricket was detected, as well as the meadow grasshopper, which used to be very common, as Mattern explains.

In the meantime he is a rather rare resident in our latitudes.

In some places, flat-trodden paths lead the way through the terrain.

Karl-Hermann Heinz from the local NABU left his mark there.

Together with other local conservationists, he has taken on the care and development of the area.

Among other things, he planted new fruit trees in some places to replace some of the trees that were getting on in years.

He has also planted his favorite apple tree, the Berlepsch.

Rare Orchids

And because the tree is "a mimosa", it even gets its own water from Heinz.

He also talks about rare orchid species that he photographed in large-format photos.

He does not believe that he could use this to encourage visitors who would like to dig up one of the rare species and plant it in their own garden.

"The plants would die immediately in the garden," he says.

There is a lack of everything, on the ground, on the environment.

So it's not a good idea to do it yourself.

The area would not be possible without the voluntary help of the numerous nature conservationists in the village.

The circle knows that too.

With the designation as a nature reserve, you now have more financial resources to contribute to the support.

However, there are also a number of conditions associated with this.

Horses are no longer allowed to graze there.

Of course, among other things, open fire is also prohibited.

In addition, dogs are not allowed to walk freely or on long leashes in the area.

Karl-Hermann Heinz also takes on guided tours and shows children from daycare or school what there is to discover on the Buckelwiese.

For the time being, however, there will be no regular excursions for the public.

For anyone interested in the site, it is advisable to keep an eye out for the characteristic green-framed triangle on the outskirts of Stockheim.