The pupils were immensely proud when their environmental working group was awarded the Ludwigsburg district environmental prize in 2023. The working group from Ditzingen won the prize in thecategory "Educational institutions". The activities in which the ten members of the working group are involved are wide-ranging: Waste collection campaigns along the Glems, a compulsory reading flea market and an open bookshelf at the GGD.
The prize money of 500 euros was a particular source of joy. The prize money, half of which was donated by the district of Ludwigsburg and half by the Foundation for Environmental and Nature Conservation of the Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg, was immediately invested by the pupils in their next project: an impressive insect hotel, which now adorns the schoolyard and provides a home for beetles, bumblebees and many other creepy-crawlies. "It was our biggest project to date," reports one pupil proudly. The little house took many hours of work to build. It is largely made of wood, which was donated to the AG. The children collected the material for the interior. Some of the prize money was used for roofing felt, lattice, posts, ground sockets and brackets.
"In the environmental club, we come up with projects that contribute to a better approach to the environment. In addition to upcycling projects, we also organize waste collection campaigns, for example on World Clean-up Day," explains Tìmea Ircsik, who heads the working group at the grammar school. "It's been very important to me right from the start to take up the students' ideas and make it possible to implement them. I'm very proud of the girls, who are really there every week and sometimes even on Saturdays, giving serious thought to how we can make a difference at school level and in the world," continues the German and history teacher.
Environmental working group works on a variety of projects
Among other things, they are currently working on a guided tour of the city, which the pupils of the environmental club are offering to lower school classes on the subject of sustainability, for example as part of environmental education or on project days. The students are also currently busy making things: "We are sewing useful little things such as hand warmers from leftover fabric, which we would like to sell at the school Christmas market on the last day of school before the Christmas vacations," says Ircsik. The club takes place every Monday in the seventh period and is open to all grades.
Background information on the environmental prize
The Ludwigsburg district environmental award recognizes outstanding projects in the field of nature, species and climate protection. The competition is aimed at individuals, groups, schools, kindergartens, clubs and associations that are committed to the environment with creative and sustainable initiatives. The prize is endowed with a total of 10,000 euros, financed by the district of Ludwigsburg and the Environmental and Nature Conservation Foundation of Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg.
Applications for the Environmental Award 2025 must be submitted by April 30, 2025. Applications should include meaningful descriptions and supporting materials such as
sketches and should preferably be sent by email to umweltpreis[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de. Alternatively, a written submission to the Ludwigsburg District Office is also possible. For further information and questions, please contact the Environment Department by e-mail.
Contact for queries:
Landratsamt Ludwigsburg
Environmental Award
Hindenburgstraße 40
71638 Ludwigsburg
E-mail: umweltpreis[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de
Detailed information on the Environmental Award can be found at https://www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/de/umwelt-technik-klimaschutz/umwelt-und-naturschutz/umweltpreis/
