Integrating nature conservation measures into construction projects is a future solution for increasing biodiversity. The awarding of the Golden Toad is made to recognise remarkable efforts in the construction sector to make innovative nature conservation measures visible. The Golden Toad represents endangered species that can be conserved through such innovative measures. The prize was awarded on the basis of on-site visits carried out by experts and a subsequent jury decision. The Golden Toad was awarded on 11 November by the Provincial Councillor Mag.a Sara Schaar.
This year the Golden Toad travels to the market town of Treffen for the project ‘Trittsteinbiotop Friedhof Treffen - Friedhofsgestaltung mit Würde und Natur’ (translated: ‘Stepping Stone Biotope Cemetery Treffen - Cemetery Design with Dignity and Nature’), designed by "lenaplant” based in Afritz, and implemented in 2021. In the course of expanding of the cemetery grounds by using native trees in a tree burial grove, soil unsealing was considered. The forecourt of the cemetery - with a stepping stone biotope, shade trees, deciduous hedges, and ‘green gravel’ lawn - was designed to be close to nature and climate-friendly. The municipality of Treffen demonstrates that a lot can be done for nature conservation simply by redesigning sealed areas.
An honorary toad was also awarded for the purely private project ‘Auwald mit Biotopen in Oberhof’ (translated: ‘Alluvial forest with biotopes in Oberhof’) in the municipality of Metnitz, submitted by Morgan Chambas. He transformed a spruce monoculture of about 0.7 hectares into a special and diverse habitat, an original floodplain forest.
The Golden Toad Award is financed by the Province of Carinthia and organised by the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and UNESCO Chair, in cooperation with E.C.O. Institute of Ecology.
