Turning a power line into an insect highway
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- Опубликовано: 3 июн 2024
- 🌱 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, we’re rewilding the space under power lines to reconnect fragmented habitats and create more biodiversity. By transforming these barren areas into flourishing meadows, we’re 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, Waldbiodiversität and IWB Projektförderung. 
Животные
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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: 😡
Clearing a strip of land for power lines: 😇
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 ❤️
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?
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.
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 🥰
@@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, we’ll 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. 💪
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. 💚
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. I’ve 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 it’s right under the lines. This would require specialized education for crews to discern desirable species vs non desirable. I think it’s 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.
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, I’m 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 großen Hochspannungsleitung kann die elektrische Feldstärke in Bodennähe bis zu 5000 V/m betragen. Auch im Abstand von mehreren hundert Metern ist die Strahlung messbar. Das ist doch nicht gesund!?
As someone with background in invertebrates, very happy to see focus here on “insect highways” 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 it’s ok to emphasise they’re critical food for birds etc or those more charismatic toads.
I’m 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 ❤️❤️🌈
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! 😔 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!
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! 😊
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 municipality’s 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!
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 😊💚
Ich hoffe Mission 15 wird ein Jahrzehnteprojekt und wir kriegen regelmäßige updates.
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 💚
I want the Glöcklifrosh call as a ring tone, so cute!
5:03 - bears, beets, battlestar galactica? More like bees, bugs and butterflies!
Awesome initiative 👏
Which is better?
And how about "Insects, weasels and Glöcklifrosch galactica"?
Another awesome mission! Feel proud to support. I always learn so much from your videos
Same here 🙏
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! 💚
This is lovely! Hopefully whoever maintaind the power lines don't disturb the growth of the new plants 😅
I can’t 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.
I'm always with Planet Wild and the Green Energy, let's save the World together! 💚
Nothing to save except yourself
that‘s so cool! 😍 I come from Switzerland and I am a member of Pro Natura, but I haven’t heard of that project. Thank you for your great work and Inspiration 🌱🙏🏻
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.
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!
I love the weasel and toad footage! Amazing how he carries the eggs! Well done everyone ❤
This is the stuff we need!!! Lets create a paradise!!!
This is a wonderful idea! So glad it's starting here in Switzerland, and I hope it catches on worldwide! ❤
Yay Swiss people.
Hurrah Schweizerische Leute!
I’ve been thinking about this near me for awhile now I think it’s a great idea and even if you can’t do trees you can still put it shrubs grasses and forbs. I’ve been thinking about even just doing some guerrilla gardening under some of our power lines and pulling invasives and planting some awesome natives
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.
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 💚
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 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
Simply wonderful. I hope the US wakes up a gets on this opportunity.
Thank you, Planet Wild - what an amazing project, as they all are! ❤
Feels so good to be part of this! 💚⚡️🌍
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!! 💚 That’s Beautiful 💙
Guys comment so this video gets boosted in the algorithm!
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
What an innovative idea, very cool to fund this!
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.
So proud to be supporting an organisation like yours, once again! Thanks for your great work
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.
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 that’s 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 :)
this is absolutely amazing. Everyone should be watching this and be as inspired as i am
Thank you for what you do, guys. Waiting eagerly for more inspirational videos from you!
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.
Just boosting the algorithm
I wish I could join the missions ): but I will support from online!
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.
A very unique solution, I love it! Wish we did this in the U.S.
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 (:
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 ✨🌱
Bravo!!
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
I'm so happy to be a supporting member. thank you for such a thoughtful and positive project!
What a great idea!!!!!!!! This gives me hope
Woohoo!!! 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 TYSM Planet Wild! Joyful! Magical! Absolutely wonderful!! ❤❤❤
Verry nice Video. Nice Missio, thank you everyone
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.
As a Swiss myself, this makes me feel happy when I see what Thomas has done.
Great work! 👍💪✌
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! 🙌 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.
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.
It's not easy being a human. Or even just good.
Luckily there are some good folk like you out there.
Such an interesting project! ⚡️ So proud to be part of it! 😊🦋
Another amazing mission! Awesome work you guys 🎉❤
America needs this!!!
Loving this mission! It's such a simple yet effective idea to support wildlife! AND I am in love with the Glöcklifrosch!! ❤
Great project once more! Greatings from Astro-Tim, as well 😎🙏🇩🇪
🚀
@Dr.RiccoMastermind Thanks and welcome to Planet Wild. We're glad to have you on board 💚
great idea!
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.
Well done guys and girls. Aye love organisation's like yourselves and Mossy Earth.Thankyou for all the Good that you're doing ❤ 🌏
Love from india, your vedioes inspire me lot.Thank you.
Great work.
I never thought about this potential, but totally love it :)
This is amazing! Big 👍
Love this. Thanks for sharing 🐛🪲🐞
Out of the box or what. Brilliant project🎉
Great idea!!
How nice is that! Love the idea
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
loved it 🙌🏾
great video thank you for doing such things much love from Switzerland
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.
One of our favorite birding places in Lancaster, PA is at one of these power lines clearings. Birds love the patches of blackberry brambles, elderberry canes, sumac and so many other shrubs. Last year I was devastated to see that an established clump of elderberry was sprayed and had died. It was illogical to me because elderberry would never reach the height of the lines so shouldn’t be a problem. More education is needed to provide better habitat for all wildlife. Great video!
Excellent idea!
Wow 🙂
Thank you 😃👍
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 could be a good or bad situation though, the empty spaces are fire breaks- in case a spark from the line hits the ground, to prevent a fire…
Interesting point! But fire is not very common in Switzerland as the climate is not dry and there should be no problem with the fire breaks anyway.
So cool! What an interesting idea!
I love Planet Wild and Mossy Earth so much! They give me hope for the future. 🥰🥰
Love it, we get the power we need and nature can thrive too 😊.
There's a grasses meadow with many wildflowers in a stretch under powerlines, it's got a little unofficial trail that connects my apartment to a local park, so I walk it often. It's a great biome transition area to the woods around it, and is teeming with rabbits, ground-nesting birds, and insects. Would love to see more stretches like it, especially in the usa where native grasslands are such an important part of a lot of the country's ecosystem!
Fantastic project! I hope it takes off worldwide!
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.
Very Fantastic idea! Keep it up...
This reminds me of how tempted I get to just toss out some local flower seeds out into the barren wasteland that is ditches.
Herd sheep and cows, slow, bunched and moving along the paths. They're all connected so there's a non zero number of paths they could use to make sure they didn't overlap too much. This will concentrate carbon there, keep trees from growing without humans having to maintain it, and grow a huge amount of grasses.
Edit: Also add horizontal bee hives the way they do in Africa where it's a hollowed log with a removable top so we can maintain them and help with pests and disease. Happy bees don't sting!
A great idea and project.
This is amazing! In Toronto, Canada there is a project called the Medoway that is doing just this--turning a hydro corridor running through the city into a pollinator oasis along with a trail nextwork that the surrounding communities can enjoy.
Really beautiful vid like everytime!
What will the maintenance costs of these be? Can those ponds self-fill with f.ex. rainwater? Will they erode away after a while? I think it's overall very interesting, but some things still leave me with questions.
Fair questions!
Considering the amount of rainfall and a relatively humid climate of the area, this type of ponds will naturally be filled with rainwater. Also, they will be controlled annually, and depending on the colonisation will be emptied and cleaned at least every fife years. The maintenance costs are included in the pond cost, so this is taken care for.
Fabulous use of barren land and reconnecting insect colonies 😊. Top marks for turning a negative into a positive 😊😊