At the invitation of NABU, around 250 guests from nature conservation, politics, science, and business gathered on June 23 for this year’s NABUsalon in summery Berlin. Under the motto “A Living Society, Living Nature”, the focus was on the question of what contribution civic engagement can make to the preservation of biodiversity, social cohesion, and a vibrant democracy.

In brief keynote presentations and two panel discussions, it became clear that nature conservation goes far beyond the protection of species and habitats. Volunteer engagement strengthens social cohesion and creates spaces for encounters and collective action.

Maria Furtwängler was also among the guests. As part of her Mission 30x30 initiative, she advocated viewing nature and the environment as critical infrastructure—not as a “nice to have,” but as an indispensable foundation of our lives and thus as a topic that must have a permanent place in politics, business, and society.

Numerous members of the German Ornithological Society also used the NABUsalon for personal exchange and discussions with colleagues from other specialist societies and institutions. A buffet featuring regional specialties and specially created “ornithological” drinks provided an atmospheric setting for this.

Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers
President of the German Ornithological Society