Clervaux Golf Club Joins Fight Against Decline of Insects

The Clervaux Golf Club has joined a project to actively fight against the decline of insects.

Golf courses are usually made up of very intensive grassy areas, where flowers cannot grow due to frequent mowing; however, the Golf de Clervaux is now an exception. 

The golf club is combining flowers and other nature-like design elements and is thus a successful example of insect-friendly redevelopment, within the initiative entitled "D'Naturparken zu Lëtzebuerg ... (een) Insekteräich”.

The objective of the initiative is to fight against the massive disappearance of insects and thus make a valuable contribution to the protection of biodiversity. “The golfer receives a lot from nature, we also wanted to give him something in return!", explained members of the Golf de Clervaux steering committee to explain their commitment to this redevelopment.

The Golf de Clervaux has existed since 1989 on an area of approximately 61 hectares. From the beginning, many wooden structures were planted there, which in the meantime have become beautiful linear elements between the playing surfaces. In addition, the irrigation is exclusively supplied with rainwater. Since 2015, the Golf de Clervaux has been working without pesticides in collaboration with the Nature and Forests Administration.

In September 2021, the Our Nature Park and the Golf de Clervaux met for the first time to plan and implement a collaboration within the framework of the insect initiative. The first measures were implemented in March 2022 and have since been continuously extended, such as simple maintenance changes, sowing and planting on areas that are not very rich in species (in order to increase plant biodiversity and therefore the supply of food and nesting possibilities; the timing of the maintenance is also adapted according to the composition of the species, which guarantees a permanent presence of flowers and grasses) and enrichment of structures, in particular through dead hedges, piles of stones or raised beds of dry stone walls, which provide other refuges for insects and other small living beings.

A total of 2.5 hectares is currently landscaped in a more natural way and a further 0.28 hectares is in the planning stages.

The Golf de Clervaux thus not only offers vital relay biotopes for insects and other small living beings, but also aesthetic added value for golfers, who have completely welcomed this transformation with enthusiasm.

D'Naturparken zu Lëtzebuerg ... (een) Insekteräich

INSECTS - Whether in the air, in the water or on the ground, insects are everywhere. Their existence and performance are of enormous value to us humans and to our ecosystem. However, the existence of many species is threatened. 

Luxembourg's three natural parks (Öewersauer, Our & Mëllerdall) are taking action and have therefore launched a large-scale project for the protection of insects. In collaboration with national and regional partners, the development and improvement of habitats for more biodiversity are undertaken. In addition to the achievements favourable to insects in the 27 municipalities of the natural parks, a broad awareness of public structures, farmers, commercial companies and individuals is targeted.
The project is financed by the environmental protection fund of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development. 

Further information as well as valuable tips for setting up your own garden and balcony are available online at www.insekten.lu.