Scythe Mowing Revives Traditional Land Care in Germany's Rhön Region

Two events on scythe mowing recently took place in the Rhön region. The Thuringian Rhön Landscape Conservation Association and the Natura 2000 Station Rhön organised them. Both attracted strong interest from participants eager to learn traditional land management techniques. The first event, 'Honorary Cause for Nature: Active with the Scythe', happened near Geblar on May 30. Volunteers carefully mowed parts of the Geblar Calcareous Tufa Fen, a sensitive area within the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. Their work helped protect habitats for plants and animals, including the fire salamander, whose larvae depend on the fen’s spring pools.

On June 6, an intensive scythe workshop was held in the Dörrensolz Variety Garden. Claudia Schneider and Roland Schneider led the session. Participants learned peening and mowing techniques before practising on the garden’s meadows. The Thuringian administration of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve supplied the scythes for both events.

The garden’s diverse heritage apple varieties and structured grasslands made it a perfect place for hands-on learning. The organisers highlighted how traditional methods like scythe mowing support biodiversity. The events successfully demonstrated the value of manual land care. The association thanked all volunteers and supporters for their efforts. Their work directly benefited local ecosystems, including the fire salamander’s habitat.