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Environmental officer Kolmer calls for consideration and support
With the arrival of milder temperatures, the annual amphibian migration begins in Darmstadt. The city of science is therefore asking all road users to exercise particular caution. Toads, frogs, and newts are leaving their winter quarters and migrating to their traditional spawning grounds. In doing so, they often cross busy roads.
Environmental officer Michael Kolmer emphasizes that everyone can contribute to protecting people and animals by driving attentively and reducing their speed. In addition to the animals, it is also important to be mindful of the volunteer helpers who are out early in the morning.
Protective measures on particularly affected roads
In particularly vulnerable sections, conservation organizations such as BUND and NABU have erected protective fences or installed collection containers. The animals are collected and carried safely across the roads.
Particularly affected areas within the city include:
- Weiterstadt Road
- Dieburger Straße in the area of Steinbrücker Teich and Grube Prinz von Hessen
- Mahatma Gandhi Street
- Parkstrasse in the Heiligenteich area
Amphibian protection in your own garden
The environmental agency points out that private individuals can also actively contribute to amphibian conservation. This includes leaving piles of leaves and branches as refuges, checking basement window wells and rainwater drains, and installing escape ramps made of rough boards.
Other measures include creating fish-free garden ponds or natural gardens with as little sealed surface area as possible. The amphibian migration is an impressive natural spectacle, but it also highlights the vulnerability of native species.
Anyone wishing to get actively involved can contact local nature conservation associations. The environmental office can provide contact information via email at umweltamt@darmstadt.de .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
