Befis NaturGarten

Befis NaturGarten in Burlage is a teaching and show garden in southern East Frisia . It is named after the local poet, painter and local mayor Bernhard Ficken from Burlage, who was also known as "Befi".

Bernhard Ficken owned a 3,600 m² meadow by the Rote Riede stream, on which a weekend house stood. After his death in 2007, the property went to his grandson Ingo Rieken in 2010. In 2011 Ingo Rieken and Theo Lüken founded “Befis NaturGarten” as a teaching and show garden for NABU Emsland Nord eV. In 2013 the garden was enlarged to 10,000 m². In 2014 Befis NaturGarten took second place in the “Association & Association” category of the “Orchards bloom” competition organized by the German Association for the Protection of the Environment and Nature .

The focus of the natural garden is on protecting and promoting biodiversity. The core project of the garden is a meadow orchard with old, tall fruit trees. Beekeeping and wild bees are to be added as a further focus. There is also a nature trail on the site that explains the individual elements in the natural garden .

In February 2017 the association “Befis NaturGarten eV” was founded, which is committed to the preservation of biodiversity and environmental education.

Logo of Befis NaturGarten
Befis NaturGarten - the overview
Befis construction trailer - the classroom
Barn with solar panels. In the foreground is a bee showcase
Easel and paintbrush are reminiscent of Bernhard Ficken, who originally owned the property