"Tatort Biodiversität": Searching for Clues in Biological Diversity
With the "supergut" initiative, the Hilti Foundation has been promoting biodiversity in Liechtenstein since 2023. It aims to make biodiversity visible and motivate people to actively support it in their everyday lives. Traditionally held on International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May, this year's supergut event "Tatort Biodiversität" in Schaan was as colorful and diverse as ever. This time, the focus was on practical and innovative ways of imparting knowledge and the question of what contribution our diet can make to biodiversity and sustainability.
"supergut is a platform, channel and enabler for all those who keep our nature alive with their projects - and for those who want to start one," says Michelle Kranz, Managing Director of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein. "We want to break through the ‘green bubble’ and make the topic of biodiversity accessible to everyone. With the event Tatort Biodiversität, we are giving local initiatives a stage and showing that it's not that difficult to commit to more biodiversity with small deeds."
supergut - Biodiversity needs a stage
Julian Janssen inside supergut LABS.
Even before the event began, Julian Janssen — best known as "Checker Julian" from the children's educational program KIKA — delighted the younger generation with a relaxed meet-and-greet. He answered countless questions and took countless selfies. After the lively start at the Lindahof, the event moved indoors to the large hall, which was filled to capacity with 420 visitors. Presenter Peter Beck hosted the event with his usual competence and good humor. Once again this year, the Liechtenstein biodiversity experts whose projects promote greater biodiversity in the country were a fixture on the program. Eight projects were presented, ranging from newly created flowering areas by dedicated individuals to the various applications of microorganisms in food production.
In his keynote speech, scientist, thought leader, and social entrepreneur Christoph Schmitz demonstrated how education can positively impact biodiversity. Thirteen years ago, he launched a pilot project that resulted in an educational program reaching over 400,000 children and young people in more than 2,000 educational institutions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Over 100,000 square meters of learning gardens have been created — places where nature is experienced as well as explained.
Things got really exciting for the children and young people in the hall once again when Julian Janssen, alias "Checker Julian", presented the three final projects of the supergut school competition. The competition focused on how to make school grounds more biodiverse. The audience decided by live voting and chose Eschen Secondary School as the winner. Their plan is to bring an old pond on the school grounds back to life.
The winning project exemplifies how biodiversity can be shaped locally in a concrete way. During a subsequent expert panel discussion, Susanne Miescher Schwenninger, Alpine natural chef Rebecca Clopath, and Christoph Schmitz explored the role that biodiversity plays in our diet and the interaction between knowledge and experience.
Outlook: Learn, understand, help shape - with the supergut LABS
As a special highlight, Flurina Seger presented two mobile supergut LABS. She is project manager for biodiversity at the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein and is responsible for the "supergut" initiative. From September, the LABS will be traveling through Liechtenstein as "flying classrooms". They will visit schools to bring biodiversity to life - with clear information, exciting experiments and real moments in nature for children and young people.
"After the successful escape room, we want to create a real hands-on experience with the supergut LABS, where children can get their hands dirty in the middle of nature and experience biodiversity up close," explains Flurina Seger. "Because biodiversity is colorful, fun and never ceases to amaze us."
Further information on the initiative and upcoming events can be found at: www.supergut.li