Climate and Sustainability

Oldenburg's residential areas are constantly growing, areas are being built on or sealed, and only a few city dwellers have their own garden. The Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz are therefore two centrally located green spaces with immense importance and a high recreational factor for the people of Oldenburg. Both areas are already regarded as relaxing oases of peace with a view of nature, water and natural creatures. The garden monuments have a very important function as a habitat for flora (plant world), fauna (animal world) and provide living and development areas for many species. In addition, the castle gardens and Eversten Wood cool the heat-generating city, clean the air and store CO2, which means that these places make a significant contribution to improving the urban climate.

The advancing climate change is weakening the garden monuments, species extinction is progressing, hot summers are threatening a sufficient water supply for plants and trees, and heavy rainfall cannot be absorbed sustainably. It therefore needs structural and content-related adaptation measures to deal with these consequences and a strong plan for the future. The goals are climate protection, better biodiversity and far-reaching CO2 storage in those places and leaving knowledge inputs in various places so that the abilities and needs of nature receive much more attention. In short: we need more climate resilience! We welcome ideas and opinions from the general public.

Contact person
Saskia Benthack
s.benthack[at]landesmuseen-ol.de
0441 / 40570 334

Click here for the official website www.klimaoasen-oldenburg.de (external link)

Why do we need this project?

The Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz need protection on several levels. On the one hand, they are garden monuments of the city with high historical value. Secondly, they are also of immense ecological importance as Oldenburg's “green lungs”. They produce oxygen, store CO₂ and thus purify the air. In addition, they cool the heated city and provide an important habitat for flora and fauna in times of a worrying loss of biodiversity. Structural adaptation measures are intended to maintain these properties and make them more resilient to advancing climate change.

Through an open dialog about planned measures and participatory workshops for everyone, we want to better understand the usage habits in these places. Human and ecological needs should thus be more closely linked.

What exactly is supported?

From the federal government. The federal program “Adaptation of urban areas to climate change” funds projects that have a high level of technical quality and innovation potential and are highly effective for climate protection and climate adaptation. Click here for the call for funding.

Funding is provided from the special assets of the “Energy and Climate Fund” (funding body: Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development). Klimaoasen is a so-called upgrading project. The listed green spaces are to be further developed with the involvement of the population so that they are better able to cope with climatic changes. The recipient of the funding is the city of Oldenburg in cooperation with the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch and the Carl von Ossietzky University.

All measures serve to protect the climate, improve biodiversity and achieve far-reaching CO₂ reduction/storage. We will evaluate them and communicate the results via knowledge stations in the properties. In this way, we want to arouse interest in the specific adaptation measures and make nature and climate education applicable in the long term.

Who came up with that?

The climate-related changes in the Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz have been closely monitored by the state institutions and Oldenburg society for several years. In particular, the voluntary associations of the two properties have constantly pointed out the urgent need for adjustments.

An interdisciplinary steering group of the state of Lower Saxony then took up the issue and drew up corresponding funding criteria.

This committee now steers the implementation of the measures. The group members are equally responsible for all directional decisions as representatives of certain sub-areas. These are made up of the Office for Environmental Protection and Building Regulations, the Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences, the State Monument Conservation Department, the State Museum of Nature and Man, the management of the state properties Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz, the State Building Management Region North-West and the Lower Saxony State Office for Building and Real Estate. Depending on necessity, the group will be expanded to include specialist planners, who currently have to be found through a public tendering process.

How is the project structured?

The structural measures applied for are planned by specialist planners and presented to the committee. The Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Carl von Ossietzky University is researching how the measures can be implemented in the most ecologically sound way and how biodiversity can be further increased. The conservation department is ensuring the preservation of historical features, while the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch is involving the public in the thought processes through open dialog and participatory workshops. On the one hand, this serves to provide information about the adaptation measures and to incorporate important local knowledge and knowledge impulses. On the other hand, we want to better understand the usage habits in these places in order to better harmonize them with the ecological goals for the natural areas.

How is the money used?

→ Funding is provided for structural adaptation measures for ecologically sustainable improvement, climate-resilient adaptation of tree populations and the creation of habitats for flora and fauna. In addition, the improvement of irrigation systems, water quality and pathways, taking into account the protection of historical monuments.

→ University research is funded by the Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences at Carl von Ossietzky University on the topic of biodiversity and plant evolution in relation to climate change. The data collected, together with existing surveys, forms the basis for many local ecological decisions.

→ Funding is provided for a citizen dialog that involves a diverse society in the planned adaptation process, takes up impulses and enables sustainable education for more climate-conscious action. This process will be designed and researched from a cultural science perspective, documented through hands-on stations and a traveling exhibition, and made permanently accessible to the public.

How much does it cost?

Structural adaptation measures: € 3,700,000.

University research, citizen dialog and knowledge communication: €1,300,000.

The exact composition of the funds are initially estimates. As soon as specialist planners are working on the project, the specific costs of the structural adaptation measures will be determined. These must now be found and commissioned as part of a public tender.

What is the current status?

The forwarding contracts for the funds between the project participants were approved by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) in August 2022. The State Construction Management Region Northwest (SB RNW) was thus officially commissioned by the Lower Saxony State Office for Building and Real Estate (NLBL) in September 2022 to provide technical advice on the project (NLBL).

As the SB RNW can now take action, the project participants are currently working together to establish the structures required to further specify the construction measures. The SB RNW is preparing the tendering procedures for the specialist planning, which will then shape the measures.

The focus of all those involved in the project is currently on planning and implementing the adaptation measures for watercourses and banks, path construction and guidance systems as well as climate-resilient woodland development, both in Eversten Holz and in the castle garden. Funding for the individual measures has been secured and can now be finalized.

Once the construction plans and costs have been determined and checked by the Lower Saxony State Office for Construction and Real Estate, the funds can be called up. Only then can the structural adaptation process begin. An uncoordinated premature start to the measures could lead to the funds not being approved and thus jeopardize the project.

The first project phase has been successfully completed. This served to anchor the project in the public eye/ in the perception of urban society and to build up public outreach in order to inform people about project goals and project activities. This process is continuing and is being constantly expanded.

The “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs on the website) were also created to give citizens an initial insight into the process, the background and the next steps of the project. During this phase, important results were also collected for cultural studies research, which served as the basis for planned hands-on stations and a traveling exhibition.

Due to the high administrative effort and the obligation to comply with federal construction and procurement law, there have been delays in the process. These affect all 148 funded projects of the federal program “Adaptation of urban areas to climate change”.

Why monument preservation?

The fact that the Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz properties are listed is an important basis for all planned measures, as the Lower Saxony Monument Conservation Authority must be involved in all projects from the outset. This is relevant, for example, in the case of climate-resistant replanting, as the new planting should not only be selected according to its function, but should also meet certain visual requirements.

How do animals and plants benefit?

If the objectives associated with the project are implemented, the Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz can serve as “source areas” for the reintroduction of certain species groups. Water bodies are to be revitalized in order to offer fauna and flora a better habitat. By analysing fauna and flora through university research, the ecosystem can be characterized and biodiversity better protected. By taking appropriate measures, we can better protect endangered species and better identify and combat harmful species. A replanting concept with native trees that are compatible with the garden monuments also aims to increase biodiversity. Dead trees are not cleared away but left on site to promote deadwood communities and store carbon in the forest.

How does the climate benefit?

With the Klimaoasen Oldenburg project, we can succeed in sustainably enhancing an area of 39 hectares biologically by adapting it to the expected climatic changes. Preserving old trees and planting new ones will help to reduce CO₂ emissions. Biodiversity is increased, the water supply is improved and the future viability of these natural sites worthy of protection is strengthened by climate-resilient plants. As a result, the listed properties can be protected as Oldenburg's “green lungs”. By storing CO₂, they improve the city air and cool the city's heat island.

How do we all benefit?

We hope that the Klimaoasen Oldenburg project will significantly improve the weak points of the green spaces - e.g. by strengthening the two water bodies Pferdetränke and Hausbäke, a better irrigated ditch network, new biotopes to protect species, better routing, greater plant diversity, new knowledge through hands-on stations and possibly even new recreational opportunities. During the process, users can contribute their own knowledge and formulate their wishes for the site. We are committed to a multifunctional coexistence of nature and people on a harmonious and considerate level. The public debate on processes of change due to climate change is intended to focus on this topical issue. We address the enormous need for education in this area and highlight the contribution of science to overcoming current social challenges.

How can I get involved?

The first citizen science projects will start in the properties in spring 2023. They are currently being developed in collaboration with the University of Oldenburg. There will also be further events on the usage and recreational behavior of both locations and you can take part in a survey.

If you want to get started now, you can use the free “ObsIdentify” app (ObsIdentify - Apps - Observation.org) to participate by observing or counting any plant and animal species in the Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz. 

Information on how to get involved is available at www.klimaoasen-oldenburg.de and @klimaoasen.oldenburg on Instagram and Facebook.

Where will the participation of the population ultimately be reflected?

We want to gain a deeper understanding of usage habits, wishes and questions about the Schlossgarten and Eversten Holz in order to better reconcile these with the ecological goals for the natural areas. Your input and ideas, together with the university's research findings, will form the basis for the locations and content of hands-on stations. They will make the human and ecological needs of such natural sites more interlinked and visible. They are intended to convey a deeper understanding of natural processes, the needs of the ecosystem and local climate changes and encourage society to act in a more climate-conscious way.

From April to July 2022, students from the Departments of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg carried out research in Eversten Holz as part of the “Nature Conservation Environment Study” study project.

The focus of the current environment study is on the nature conservation assessment of Eversten Holz as a city park. This is intended to contribute to the further conservation of the city park and its adaptation to the expected climate change. For comparison, the results of an environmental study carried out in the area in 2010 were used to show changes. In particular, data was collected on the protected goods soil, water, flora and fauna and the use of the area in terms of leisure and recreational functions was determined.

The 2022 environment study in Eversten Holz is a student project that has not been fully checked for accuracy and is not an official scientific publication of the Klimaoasen project.

You can find an overview of the results here (pdf)

Here you can find the project application