Working together for nature and our homeland: JOYNEXT is actively committed to biodiversity and environmental protection in the Zschonergrund

Treppenbusch Project: safe access and sustainable environmental protection

The modernization of the “Treppenbusch” - the central access point from the town of Merbitz to the Zschonergrund - marks the successful first step in our collaboration with the Merbitz-Mobschatz Fire Department and Heritage Association (Feuerwehr- und Heimatverein Merbitz-Mobschatz e.V.). The “Treppenbusch Trail,” located just five minutes from our company premises, is now once again a safe and inviting destination for hikes.

We donated a total of 48 steps for this project. A total of 21 volunteers from Merbitz/Mobschatz, as well as three volunteers from JOYNEXT, participated in the project and have already restored 13 steps. The staircase will be fully completed this fall.

The restoration of trails is a core component of regional environmental protection: it reduces erosion caused by rain and foot traffic, protects the soil from compaction, and prevents damage to tree roots. By establishing stable trails, we promote sustainable hiking and guide walkers along designated routes. This protects the sensitive forest floor, minimizes disturbances to flora and fauna, and ensures the long-term preservation of the Zschonergrund, keeping it accessible to everyone.

Successfully implemented measures at Treppenbusch – the following tasks were carried out:

• Construction of a birdbath to support the local bird population
• Mulching of the Eisteich to improve soil and water quality
• Trail rehabilitation at Treppenbusch to stabilize the path
• Installation of Podemus steps for safe ascent and descent
• Path reinforcement and trimming in the Zschonergrund to manage traffic flow and protect the soil
• Maintenance and repair of benches and signage to improve wayfinding and infrastructure condition

Biodiversity Project: preservation of Dresden’s most species-rich natural meadow - work at “Böhmes Hang”

Another key priority for us was the protection of “Böhmes Hang” in the Zschonergrund -Dresden’s most flower-rich natural meadow and one of the region’s most valuable natural landmarks. Mowing wild meadows is an essential part of nature conservation. The City of Dresden mows this area once a year. To allow nature to recover afterward, the hay must be carefully raked together by hand.

Targeted mowing followed by raking reduces nutrient-rich vegetation, giving less competitive plant species the space they need to grow. This creates and preserves habitat for a wide variety of insects, especially pollinators such as wild bees and butterflies, which are entirely dependent on species-rich meadows. Without this regular maintenance, dominant plant species would quickly overgrow the area, leading to a long-term decline in biodiversity.

At JOYNEXT, we have supported this important conservation effort not only with a donation of 23 new rakes worth approximately 500 euros, but also through our personal and volunteer efforts on site.

Preserving this functioning ecosystem is thus not only active species conservation but also makes a valuable contribution to regional heat mitigation and addressing climate change right on our doorstep. This commitment clearly demonstrates how corporate responsibility and regional nature conservation can be meaningfully combined.

Conclusion of our commitment

Whether through the modernization of key infrastructure at Treppenbusch or the active preservation of the species-rich wild meadow on “Böhmes Hang” - both initiatives demonstrate how sustainable environmental protection can succeed at the local level. Through close collaboration with local organizations, the City of Dresden, and the tireless efforts of our volunteers, we have been able to make a measurable contribution to biodiversity and heat protection in the Zschonergrund. We are proud of this spirit of teamwork in action and look forward to continuing to take responsibility for our region and neighborhood in the future.