Itinerant grazing in the Grünewald district

Itinerant grazing is a form of extensive management of meager grasslands. Under the supervision of a professional shepherd, the sheep make two annual visits to the Kirchberg. Itinerant grazing constitutes an ecological maintenance and contributes to the protection of the natural heritage and the conservation of biodiversity. The dispersal of seeds from one site to another by the itinerant herd is a real asset for biodiversity.

The Klosegrënnchen park is a refuge for endangered plants. Its dunes, which run from southwest to northeast, were created in 1997 from the sandy excavations resulting from the construction of the eastern bypass of the city. A semi-natural grassland has developed in the dunes of the park and is home to many rare native plant species.

The proper development and preservation of this refuge for endangered plants is based on extensive management, one possible form of which is sheep grazing. Sheep grazing is better suited to the topography of the site and the presence of young tree shoots, and is less resource intensive than the mechanical management that has been practised on the site in recent years. Grazing provides an ecological solution and more careful maintenance for the rare plant species while ensuring the conservation of the landscape.

The herd consists of sheep of two endangered breeds of domestic animals.

• The Moorschnucke, or "Small Dipholz Marsh Sheep", originates from the northwest of Germany; more precisely from the marshes of Lower Saxony. However, it is one of the most endangered breeds of domestic animals. Both males and females are white, hornless and have a haughty head carriage. Their diet is based on wild plants and berries.
  
• The Rhönschaf, which, like the Moorschnucke, was threatened with extinction until a few years ago. It is one of the oldest breeds of livestock in Germany and is known for its good climatic resistance. The sheep are medium-sized, with white legs and yellowish white wool. They can be recognised by their black or brown heads without horns and wool.

The touring pasture was set up in cooperation with Schäferei Weber, le Musée national d’histoire naturelle, l’Administration de la nature et des forêts et l’Administration des ponts et chaussées.