Turning a power line into an insect highway
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 4. 06. 2024
- đ± Join us to rewild the planet: planetwild.com/join/m15
Power lines cut through natural habitats and destroy ecosystems to connect our cities and feed them with electricity.
In our 15th Planet Wild mission, weâre rewilding the space under power lines to reconnect fragmented habitats and create more biodiversity. By transforming these barren areas into flourishing meadows, weâre creating insect highways and providing sanctuaries for native plants and endangered species.
Chapters
0:00 Power lines: Huge rewilding potential
1:46 The importance of power lines
3:14 Meet our partner
4:01 Step 1: Insect highway
6:06 Step 2: Rock shelters
7:11 Step 3: Wildlife ponds
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This rewilding mission was part of a larger project in collaboration with Swisslos-Fonds Solothurn, Hermann & Elisabeth Walder-Bachmann Stiftung, Sophie & Karl Binding-Stiftung, Stiftung temperatio, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Kanton Solothurn, Abteilung Wald, WaldbiodiversitÀt and IWB Projektförderung.
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One potential issue could be that the increase in bugs encourages even more birds to interact with the power lines. Causing more deaths to birds, and damage to the lines.
This could be negligible though.
Such double standards.
Clearing a strip of land for an oil pipeline: đĄ
Clearing a strip of land for power lines: đ
The Mossy Earth folx might want to try teaming up with the Planet Wild folx on some projects that would be too big/much for either community to tackle by themselves. Planet Wild seems to be structured and funded in the same/similar way as Mossy Earth, so teaming up with them could possibly make integration an easier process & working together could feel more organic/symbiotic & cohesive than it would be with a group that differed in organizational structure or funding methodology in some way(s) which makes working on a project as a team with them a more difficult, complicated, and/or unpalatable prospect.
In Germany a new trend starts: we have vast train tracks and many smaller villages around these where there are tons of noise protection walls. Now they start to make green walls with many native species, some which also grow in our garden at home, which are great for birds, insects and more â€ïž
Hey Jonas do you know how these groups to regrean those noise protection walls form?
spitze!
Ich liebe es.
Yayyy
Wait isn't the DB spraying glyphosate on the tracks?
I might be very wrong, but I would guess, this project could/should/can be copied and modified for geographical diferences relatively easily. So let's do it!
(And yes, I'm doing it in a very small scale in my teeny tiny garden, more directed towards bumble bees. But it is a starter ...)
Take care everybody!
Yes, these small projects look easy to do. I bet that if everybody went in to these areas without training and completed projects without training, then we'd get about 50%-90% success. We should get training, but the point is that this is completely doable.
It's unfortunate that access into many of these power line areas is restricted in the united states.
me too, I have a walk through yard which is not private BUT I have rescued many plants and been given clippings from my gardener friends and others , I also allow the weeds to grow as they attract insects , butterflys and bee's , it is basically a free mobile plant hospital, rescue space for local wild life including cats and birds, keep doing what your doing đ„°
â@@reidrayfield6685 Im sure its the same in Switzerland, it's a collaboration that uses either federal or corporate proprietary land. There's a lot of red tape sure, but I'm sure it's just as hard here as it was there.
Definitely! A lot of the projects can be replicated elsewhere, taking into account local conditions, as you mentioned. We are convinced that by spreading the word about such pioneering projects, weâll create a ripple effect. This will encourage more organizations worldwide to seek cooperation partners and start their own initiatives that make sense for their areas. đȘ
There is indeed so much we can do, and even the smallest projects have the potential to make a real difference, like your garden for local bumblebees. No project is too small. đ
As a utility forester for a large power company in the US, I am responsible for maintaining all vegetation growing along thousands of miles of transmission lines. Iâve often thought the same ideas in this video. The main problem I see is that the land will still have to be intensively managed to ensure nothing grows taller than 15-20 ft if itâs right under the lines. This would require specialized education for crews to discern desirable species vs non desirable. I think itâs possible, but it would only be practical if it is able to be done at the same cost as current management techniques or cheaper unless someone else pays for it.
Yeah, these projects are more complex than one would imagine - lots of players have to be willing to go an extra mile. Clearly, our project was closely coordinated with the power line company, involving dialogue at all stages from planning (where to do what) to implementation (how to do it there). So, the company is fully onboard.
With the help of Planet Wild's pilot contribution, ProNatura will be able to access funds that are needed to cover long-term maintenance costs (as applying for those always require own funds in the first place).
They might be able to schedule their visits to be accompanied by local naturalist volunteers able to identify what should be removed and what should be merely trimmed, etc.
@@Gron257 I was just thinking that these corridors could be used for tours, nature groups, school groups, and maybe hiking or biking with signs along the way educating people.
@@louisegogel7973 in my city there is a paved pathway in these corridors suitable for bikes and skates with benches and playable grassland on each side.
@@Gron257 the only vegetation that could be grown in these corridors would have to be quite short, no medium or large trees anyway so ideally they would just be prairie or scrubland which is easier to spot undesirable species from a power company perspective. Ideally, they would be maintained with fire but that can pose many logistical challenges, especially in dry areas. Mowing may be the only way to manage some areas but that can get expensive and time consuming. It also does not mimic natural disturbance as well.
So many "regular" people,(non-biologists), want to do something. I think many people can spend some time in helping out with projects like this.
Absolutely! And there are so many ways to get involved. Physical support is often not possible due to restrictions on the site or geographical distance, site restrictions or geographical distance, but spreading the word about pioneering projects like this one can make a big difference.
Something worth pointing out is that those paths where the power lines are built are also great at preventing fire expansion in case of a forest fire.
Absolutely. Our project partners were working closely with fire safety experts and local authorities to ensure that the wildlife corridors not only promote biodiversity but also adhere to the highest safety standards.
this is absolutely amazing. Everyone should be watching this and be as inspired as i am
As someone with background in invertebrates, very happy to see focus here on âinsect highwaysâ as just part of support for wider biodiversity, but please insects are not just butterflies - and European ones are distinct from couple of bits of stock footage with so,e tropical ones. Please consider to show local insects as part of local arthropods, and itâs ok to emphasise theyâre critical food for birds etc or those more charismatic toads.
Iâm curious about the local wildlife, I would love to help native species wherever I am. Do you know how we can search for these kind of informations? Like there should be at least a register for the local flora or fauna!
@@jiuly5178 In many countries there are conservation organizations you can join to volunteer, attend classes and excursions, and hang out with other people with similar interests.
I'm rather confused about this comment as all of the insect footage in the video was of European species and not tropical ones? The peacock butterfly lives all the way up to the Nordics for example
Yep their caterpillars are staple foods â€ïžâ€ïžđ
Hmm. I never even thought of the possibility of using the locations of power lines as areas for rewilding because of how dangerous it is for most creatures. After this video, Iâm convinced that with the right mind of imagination, we can actually create brand new ideas that could truly save the planet as a whole. Very impressive, Planet Wild. I look forward to see one of those myself one day in the near future.
Freileitungen oder Hochspannungsleitungen haben eine Spannung von 380 000 Volt. Unter einer groĂen Hochspannungsleitung kann die elektrische FeldstĂ€rke in BodennĂ€he bis zu 5000 V/m betragen. Auch im Abstand von mehreren hundert Metern ist die Strahlung messbar. Das ist doch nicht gesund!?
Ich hoffe Mission 15 wird ein Jahrzehnteprojekt und wir kriegen regelmĂ€Ăige updates.
Thank you for the part about weasel shelters.
Sadly, I found a dead weasel in the middle of my 2 acre garden the other day. The garden is in the very early stages of a combined rewilding/permaculture project.
The weasel had wounds like it had been attacked by a bird of prey. So now I know I need piles of stones as hideouts.
Oh no! đ Hope the stones will help going forward!
Very possibly an owl, as they don't mind living near human habitations. (They lived in the unfinished attic of the house we bought in France, which had been used as a hayloft in the past.) I love hearing them at night.
About 25 years ago we had a weasel couple having their den under our concrete terrace. Our late neighbor, a hunter, had spotted them as his dog went crazy. Due to them beeing a candidate for the "red list", he warned us about them. So that year we didn't use our garden. After the young were born and weaned we could watch them during dusk/dawn playing in our garden.
They didn't return for unknown reasons and I hope they found a better place ...
Anyway, as you seem to have the space for it, I wanted to ask you to place some bigger logs or other pieces of wood on it. Those are not only used for a variety of insects, but are needed by hornets (the queen hibernates there during the winter; hornets are part of the insect "policeforce"), but also by wood bumblebees.
Thank you in advance!
Excellent idea. Space that cant be used in other ways should be rewilded, theres no excuse why it shouldnt be, just makes sense
Lol yeah but if you ask the municipalityâs they have a ton of excuses.
@@chelseashurmantine8153evil and greed
WOW thats such a great project. I didn't know there is so much unused land in europe. Imagine this in asia or north america such a huge huge potential for biodiversity.
Yeah, a gigantic opportunity that has been hiding in plain sight!
this is one of the most uplifting things i've seen in a long while. It gives hope and purpose to what we should be doing as human beings
Thanks for your feedback - we're really glad you found your way to our channel and liked the project! đ
These barren highways are a great site for rewinding!!
You should only rewind in your living room.
@@sforza209 Unless you have a portable VCR with a power pack. If you have many tapes to rewind, you can hit two birds with one stone, while rewilding at the same time. :D
Indeed! Rewinding and rewilding đđ
5:03 - bears, beets, battlestar galactica? More like bees, bugs and butterflies!
Awesome initiative đ
Which is better?
And how about "Insects, weasels and Glöcklifrosch galactica"?
I want the Glöcklifrosh call as a ring tone, so cute!
I'm proud of you guys making these projects. I know I only contribute a little, but your work gives me high hopes for the future.
Thanks, Christian! All type of contribution - no matter how small - is making a difference. Happy to have you as part of the community đ
Oooh, this is fascinating. I am so pleased to be donating to a group that is actually innovating and experimenting in nature preservation.
All of that is only possible thanks to contribution like yours! đ
Thank you! Obrigada! Gracias! Dankeschön ! I feel empowered when I learn what Planet Wild is doing for nature. Any small contribution counts. Mine as well.
This is the stuff we need!!! Lets create a paradise!!!
I'm always with Planet Wild and the Green Energy, let's save the World together! đ
Nothing to save except yourself
It's amazing how little effort it takes to provide habitat for non-humans, but how much effort humans put in to destroying it. Here in Kentucky they come thru every couple years, unannounced, and indiscriminately herbicide spray any woody plant taller than 3 feet, across a 40 foot swath the whole run of a small rural electric line thru the property I live at. I'm hoping "NO SPRAY" signs will stop this, but my land is a very small segment of what these contracted crews that have little to no training, and aren't local residents are doing.
This is lovely! Hopefully whoever maintaind the power lines don't disturb the growth of the new plants đ
I canât see line workers with giant trucks/equipment caring about plants around. Would be nice though.
@@pacjam418even if they trampled on it, there is still a basis that can probably survive. Having said that I bet you they have an agreement with local governments.
Definitely!
The whole project is done in close cooperation with the company that is in charge of the power lines. There was a dialogue throughout all stages of the project - from the planning (where to do what) to the implementation (how to do it there). So, the company is more than aware of the meadows and will do the maintenance accordingly. In the long run, such projects can only function if all involved parties are happy with the situation.
Another awesome mission! Feel proud to support. I always learn so much from your videos
Same here đ
Simply wonderful. I hope the US wakes up a gets on this opportunity.
I love the weasel and toad footage! Amazing how he carries the eggs! Well done everyone â€
Just boosting the algorithm
Feels so good to be part of this! đâĄïžđ
Thank you, Planet Wild - what an amazing project, as they all are! â€
Guys comment so this video gets boosted in the algorithm!
I like the concept of interconnected ecosystems. This could have a big impact if implemented well.
In the uk I know they are trying to make corridors for wildlife between fields and making some spot at end or in the intersections for bigger ponds to prevent flooding and rewilding their country! Love to see more!
What a Fantastic mission!! That safe haven will be an important part of giving nature somewhere to go in order to live and thrive successfully!! đ Thatâs Beautiful đ
This is an interesting landscaping use for a coridor. I can see how it biologically works and it seems to have no flaws, as far as I can think of.
Yeah. If they're planning on planting trees underneath the lines I hope it's shorter trees to reduce them touching the power lines, but other then that it's not a bad plan
thatâs so cool! đ I come from Switzerland and I am a member of Pro Natura, but I havenât heard of that project. Thank you for your great work and Inspiration đ±đđ»
Hi! You said you are from pro natura, what are other projects that your association conducts?
@@jiuly5178 I am just a member - not working there... but they have many great projects. If you want to know details, I would recommend to look at their website.
Iâve been thinking about this near me for awhile now I think itâs a great idea and even if you canât do trees you can still put it shrubs grasses and forbs. Iâve been thinking about even just doing some guerrilla gardening under some of our power lines and pulling invasives and planting some awesome natives
This is a wonderful idea! So glad it's starting here in Switzerland, and I hope it catches on worldwide! â€
Yay Swiss people.
Hurrah Schweizerische Leute!
What an innovative idea, very cool to fund this!
So proud to be supporting an organisation like yours, once again! Thanks for your great work
The former inner German border (known as Green Belt) shows how important small lines of free spaces are for the nature.
That's a great reference, indeed! What used to be a border dividing people became a home for 1,200 rare and endangered plants and animals. A dream came true in so many senses đ
Your projects bring so much hope
if gouvernments around the world start jumping on this train we are going to have a bright future ahead of us
Aww I love that! I also live in Switzerland and in our area they actually moved the power lines underground which makes me really happy too.
What a fascinating idea. Of course a lot of powerlines cross arable and pasture land, rather than going through forests, but even so, there is a huge potential here. Landscape fragmentation is one of our biggest issues, with new roads being built all the time and carving up the countryside into smaller and smaller pieces. So if your powerlines cross roads, I hope that wildlife bridges can also be included. One of the nice things about this scheme is that so many small groups of people can get involved and join their own, separate rewilding inititiatives into one long pathway.
All roads would do well to incorporate wildlife over and underpasses at regular fairly close intervals⊠ie for frogs crossing the roads on wet warm nights.
Even with them passing through farmland or pastures they will pass through forests in regular intervals, and often the farm/forest edge has a small line of meadow plants so rewilding the powerline in a forest between two farms would still help pollinators travelling. Especially if the either or both farms are for some kind of flowering plants.
This is such a great project! I loved to see the young people take part as well, it warms my heart. And your videos are always outstanding.
Thank you for what you do, guys. Waiting eagerly for more inspirational videos from you!
What a great idea!!!!!!!! This gives me hope
Very good again. Though I would like to know how they can maintain these rewilded areas, because the powerlines need to be protected against high growth of trees. In case of the cleared areas, it's easy to mow. But with a rewilded terrain, it will be more difficult. Won't it be expensive to check and keep tall trees from growing, or damaging the powerline structures? I imagine all of this has been taken into consideration, but it just wasn't mentioned, or I missed it?
They have to look out for trees regardless.
good question.
They say they chose small and medium sized plant species at 4:22 or so...
It should be small trees like rosacae and fruit trees, shrubs, bushes and plants
I'm also wondering if they keep down woody brush so they can get to the lines to service them. When they're not near a road, they probably need to be able to drive in those corridors.
A very unique solution, I love it! Wish we did this in the U.S.
Verry nice Video. Nice Missio, thank you everyone
This is amazing! Big đ
Amazing work! But I'm wondering: are the landscapes in these insect highways self-sustaining, or would they need regular maintenance and tree-cutting to make sure that the trees don't grow tall enough to affect the power lines?
I was thinking the same. Would all those structures, even tho good for nature, not hinder the maintenance work?
Shrubs and herbaceous plants to attract pollinators would be important. Maybe small trees too. Would invasive species be another reason for regular maintenance? And trees introduced naturally from seeds/acorns would all need to be removed or cut back.
Good question! These landscapes will need maintenance, just like any other space under the power lines would.
Regular inspections and vegetation management are part of the power lines maintenance routine anyway. The difference is that in this case, the company will be maintaining the meadows that do good to nature.
The whole project is done in close cooperation with the company that in charge of the power line, including the maintenance work. So, they are aware of the situation and obviously agreed to it. In the long run, such projects will only function if all involved parties agree with the situation.
@@planet-wild thatâs a great point that they need to be maintained regardless! At least this way they will be maintained in a way that is better for wildlife :)
I wish I could join the missions ): but I will support from online!
Great initiative! Projects like this that find otherwise abandoned spaces to rewild are such a no-brainer that could really kickstart interest and show what's possible âšđ±
Bravo!!
I love this! My state already requires highway projects to reseed with a native prairie mix, but I always thought it was in some ways worse for pollinators because it put them basically in the way of high speed traffic. Power lines don't have that problem, and it would be such an easy step to require that native prairie seed there too.
I'm so happy to be a supporting member. thank you for such a thoughtful and positive project!
Such an interesting project! âĄïž So proud to be part of it! đđŠ
I like your video but I wish you'd go over the challenges and drawbacks of these projects too. Right now it feels like an advertisement. I'm sure this project is a net positive, but it must have some cons/ roadblocks as well. Please include those next time.
I mean the fact they're planting trees under these power lines is sure to have some ramifications in the form of maintenance
Exactly, more input from stakeholders like the maintenance and crews, engineers, and scientists, it'd be more interesting to know how these project came about, how much convincing and what model was chosen at the end. The video ask money a bit too often so it feels like advertising.
I was imagining that the types of trees etc planted would be selected for helping maintain a low profile under the towers.
It would be awesome and helpful to see and hear the details of the process of selection, implementation, and maintenance in depth.
@@louisegogel7973 It would also aid with those across the world viewing this and thinking of replicating it. Having a headstart in terms of insight on prior challenges could make implementation easier.
I love how the comments stay constructive even when criticising the video (:
loved it đđŸ
great idea!
Great idea!!
This is amazing!
A Great project folks.
I was about to type a suggestion
Of making waterholes and rock and stick piles. but you are way ahead of me
As a Swiss myself, this makes me feel happy when I see what Thomas has done.
Great work! đđȘâ
How nice is that! Love the idea
Another amazing mission! Awesome work you guys đâ€
Love from india, your vedioes inspire me lot.Thank you.
It's not easy being a human. Or even just good.
Luckily there are some good folk like you out there.
Woohoo!!! đđđâ€â€â€đđđ TYSM Planet Wild! Joyful! Magical! Absolutely wonderful!! â€â€â€
America needs this!!!
Love this. Thanks for sharing đđȘČđ
Well done guys and girls. Aye love organisation's like yourselves and Mossy Earth.Thankyou for all the Good that you're doing †đ
I wonder if those local furry weasels are going to associate pylons with safe haven bunkers. In case of trouble - just run to the nearest buzzing metal man!
You have to look up The Wild Robot :) Soon to be a film.
I have always thought of the pylons as women, and once wrote a poem about them, personifying them as Norns spinning out the threads of our lives.
Great work.
I never thought about this potential, but totally love it :)
I recall that when I was hiking along a power line in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States that was just green, mowed grass, I thought to myself that it would be a perfect strip of land for a wildflower meadow. All one would have to do would be to mow at the end of the season to keep bushes, shrubs and trees from taking over. Some patches could possibly even be used for old-fashioned hay meadows with their variety of flowers and grasses.
Wow đ
Thank you đđ
Planet wild you all are so wonderfully cutting edge and thank you for the Rewilding works plus the Hope you bring! I do have a concern that for whatever reason is not addressed in this episode: What of the hazards of working, living in and around these giant powerlines? What percautions do the workers and the schoolchildren take? What adaptations does flora and fauna make?
We hear you! đ But there is not a lot of hard scientific evidence how electromagnetic radiation (and especially in the order of magnitude under the power lines) effects any animals or plants.
Loving this mission! It's such a simple yet effective idea to support wildlife! AND I am in love with the Glöcklifrosch!! â€
Great project once more! Greatings from Astro-Tim, as well đđđ©đȘ
đ
@Dr.RiccoMastermind Thanks and welcome to Planet Wild. We're glad to have you on board đ
Excellent idea!
wow I have seen this first time
#savesoil
đđ
Comment
lol
So cool! What an interesting idea!
Love it, we get the power we need and nature can thrive too đ.
Out of the box or what. Brilliant projectđ
every month theprojects get more noticeale and helpful
That's a REALLY smart one. Even the electric company will have less work trimming the area as you can choose the plant species that are low enough
Very Fantastic idea! Keep it up...
great video thank you for doing such things much love from Switzerland
Really beautiful vid like everytime!
Great job!
â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
Really cool project!
I am 100% interested in a career change. Currently work in higher-ed as a career counselor but I NEED to do direct action while making a living. Please let me work for you or your collaborators!! I love insects and vehemently love nature.
I would be curious about how/whether this can be shared to places with wildfire danger? Arcs from old power lines start a lot of the big fires in Northern California, so I see why the trees are cut back. It doesn't seem good to have a dry strip under the power line either, so maybe there could be a way to use small plants there even in the redwood forests.
This reminds me of how tempted I get to just toss out some local flower seeds out into the barren wasteland that is ditches.
A great idea and project.
This is something that could be planned as part of construction of new lines. Instead of levelling the landscape, leave piles of rocks, duvets for ponds, etc. Replant with appropriate small trees and native plants, etc.
Fantastic project! I hope it takes off worldwide!
I feel like we as humans are often way too hard on ourselves when it comes to nature. What I love about humanity is that we are the only species that helps nature simply because we want to and care about the future. Love what yall are doing
Bike paths and solar panels!