Arson strikes school project: Benjeshecke Project charred
The tranquil grounds of Grundschule am Pietzmoor were disrupted last week, as an arson attack destroyed a significant part of the Benjes hedge. This natural boundary towards the forest, which has been a refuge for insects, birds, and small animals, was reduced to charred remains.
The Benjes hedge, a unique facility for biodiversity since the late 1980s, was created on the school grounds by layering small branches on top of each other. Every year, new branches are added as the old ones decay, nurturing a thriving ecosystem. However, these efforts were cruelly undone by the arsonist who set fire to the hedge on Ash Wednesday.
The school principal, Doris Rensch, expressed her anger about the deliberate destruction of this nature conservation project. She was not alone in her sentiments, as the students involved in the project were shocked and appalled by the destruction. The Benjes hedge not only provided wind and visual protection for humans but also served as a source of food for the local wildlife.
The city, as the school's patron, has filed a complaint against unknown persons for the destruction of the Benjes hedge. The city administration plans to remove the remains of the destroyed hedge in the coming days and intends to restore it with the support of the public works department.
In addition to the Benjes hedge, an insect hotel and nest boxes, made to promote biodiversity, were located near the fire site. These structures, unfortunately, were also affected by the arson attack.
The police are investigating the incident and are seeking witnesses. So far, the arsonist who set fire to the Benjes hedge of the elementary school office at Pietzmoor has not been publicly identified.
The idea for the Benjes hedge originated from landscape gardener Hermann Benjes. Previous cases of vandalism on the school grounds have included pulled-out radishes and chives, knocked-over wooden heads, and shards and party remains found in the lower covered school area.
The city administration's determination to restore the Benjes hedge and the ongoing police investigation offer some hope that this valuable biodiversity project can be rebuilt and protected in the future.
