Seeds of change

Biologisk mångfald på Dahlbogården

På Dahlbogården mellan Vårgårda och Alingsås skall en naturbaserad lösning med dammar ta hand efterreningen av avloppsvatten från verksamheten. Utöver att dammarna tar hand om fosfor och kväve skapas också en miljö för ökad biologisk mångfald som kommer att kompletteras med bla insektshotell, blommande växter, fågelholkar och faunadepåer. Platsen skyltas och görs tillgänglig för allmänheten, så att fler kan lära sig om ekosystemtjänsten vattenrening och om biologisk mångfald.  Inom projektet ordnas också en inspirationsdag och en artinventeringstävling för att öka engagemanget kring biologisk mångfald.

Free sheep for biodiversity

In Uddebo, the association "Uddebo Får Får" wants to investigate how the use of virtual fences, i.e. GPS-controlled, fence-free grazing, can increase the possibility of sheep grazing in more places in the landscape. With the help of the technology, the grazing could be adapted to both benefit biodiversity and increase the profitability of pasture-based sheep production. The experiences from the project will be shared through network meetings and information dissemination.

Forest garden workshop during Tranemo Sustainability Days

During Tranemo Sustainability Days, an overlooked green space at the Centralen in Tranemo is transformed into a forest garden. Through an open workshop, participants first receive an introduction to how a forest garden works and then participate in planting themselves. The forest garden becomes a place for learning, meetings and biodiversity – and a new way of thinking about our shared green spaces.

Reclaiming old pasture

In Tranemo municipality, grazing is being resumed on an area that, according to the forestry plan, has a rich vascular plant flora with species that benefit from grazing. The land has previously been grazed but has been mowed with a scythe since 2019. The project is erecting fences to enable post-grazing during late summer and autumn. The project combines practical nature conservation work with knowledge dissemination through volunteer work days, community mowing and an information sign at the site.

Conservation burning

The Nature Conservation Society in Bollebygd organized a course in conservation burning in April 2026. The participants learned both theory and practice about the technique and benefits of burning grasslands. Burning grasslands can be an effective measure to increase the natural values of meadows and grasslands, partly by removing old ferns and partly by the fact that certain species such as backsippa and cat's foot specifically benefit from fire. The burning during the course was carried out at a location in Bollebygd where backsippa grows, among other things. The course has led to several people gaining the skills to carry out conservation burning in grasslands and creating new contacts and networks between people interested in nature conservation in the area. 

Winter feeding of wild birds in Svenljunga

The project involved feeding wild birds during the winter of 2025-2026 at two feeding sites near the Svenljunga settlement. The aim was to support the birds with food during the winter months and to arouse interest in birds among the public. The species that visited the bird feeders have been systematically documented with photos and reported to the Species Portal. A network of bird enthusiasts has been formed and together they have carried out various bird watching activities linked to the feeding project.

The support has been used to purchase feeders and bird food for feeding from November to April.

Local plant seedlings

Tranemo Municipality, in collaboration with the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and the Small Farm in Uddebo, has collected seeds from wild meadow plants, such as cat's foot, snakeroot and meadowsweet, and grown them to plant out in suitable places. This is a way to try to ensure the survival of these plants locally. The project has also arranged a lecture about meadows to spread knowledge about the importance of meadows for biodiversity. In the future, plants can continue to be propagated to produce new seeds and possibly build up a seed bank for endangered plants.

Promoting endangered owls in Sjuhärad

Borås Bird Club has implemented a project to preserve and promote two endangered owl species, the barn owl and the short-eared owl. These owls depend on old forests and trees with natural cavities to nest, but modern forestry has reduced access to these environments. Through the project, about 50 nest boxes have been manufactured and installed in forests with landowners around Sjuhärad. The project has also spread knowledge about the owls and their situation through meetings, social media and on the radio.

Lieslåtter in Bollebygd

The project aims to preserve meadows with high natural values in central Bollebygd by arranging a course in scythe mowing and purchasing tools that can be shared by several people. Through the project, participants have learned about scythe handling, tool maintenance and mowing techniques, which enables continued management of species-rich lands.

The support has been used for training with an experienced course leader, the purchase of scythes and simple refreshments during the course. The project combines nature conservation, community and sustainability, and creates the conditions for recurring scythe mowings.

Together against invasive flowers!

In Uddebo, committed landowners came together to stop the spread of the invasive yellow skunk calla. Using an excavator and manual labor, the skunk callas were dug out so that they would not reach Lake Kalsebo. The project also included a workshop to spread knowledge about invasive plants and joint lupine clearing during the Uddebo village festival. A concrete collaboration to protect our biodiversity – now and in the future.