Nature walks for adults
In 2006 we organized about 50 excursions with up to 15 paricipants lasting two to three hours. The nature walks are conducted under the professional care of the biologist Dr. Michael Schneider for guests of Hotel Pfeiffermuehle, but also for interested non-residents. After a briefing on the geology of the Alps follows an introduction to plants commonly associated with humans and are found around Pferiffermühle. The walk continues along a meadow and across a pasture into the forest. Here we discuss the pros and cons of forest plantations as well as new approaches in forestry and see damages caused by bark beetles. Finally we reach an untouched colourful meadow (that is neither used as pasture nor for the production of grass) and an adjacent alpine bog where we encounter the “carnivourous” butterwort besides an incredible diversity of rare and protected plant species such as Gentian and orchids, medicinal plants like Arnica and Common Horsetail as well as poisonous plants like Monkshood and Deadly Nightshade. Here we can admire the beauty of the Alps and watch birds and insects like butterflies in their undisturbed environment. Michael provides some interesting facts on introduced alien plants, complex ecological interactions or wild plants that are used in traditional cuisine. Particularly lovely is to experience plant and animal life during the course of the seasons: spring with lots of fresh green and colourful flowers sticking their heads out; summer with its unbeatable diversity of wild flowers and autum with its magic yellow and red. Many questions are raised and discussed during the excursions. This is even more fruitful when there are naturalists, physicians or biologists amongst the participants.
(C) 2007 - Hotel Pfeiffermühle