Bochum focuses on climate protection and nature conservation – emphasis on pesticide-free policies and tree felling measures in February 2026

Pesticide-Free Municipality: A Milestone for Environment and Health

In February 2026, Bochum has set another milestone on the way to becoming a pesticide-free municipality. In the meeting of the Nature Conservation Advisory Board, a motion will be discussed that proposes the complete abandonment of chemically-synthetic plant protection products on municipal grounds. The goal is to protect biodiversity, promote the health of people and animals, and safeguard environmental media such as soil and water from harmful substances.

Since 2018, the city has already relied on mechanical and thermal maintenance methods instead of pesticides. In recent years, lease agreements have also been adjusted to include a ban on glyphosate on agricultural land. In the future, a ban on all plant protection products is planned, which will apply to both public green spaces and leased land.

To promote biodiversity, a flower strip obligation of at least 5% on leased land is mandatory. The program "Bochum blooms and buzzes" supports this process and encourages the establishment of flowering areas in the city. In addition, the city offers advisory and support services, for example via the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture, to assist farmers in transitioning to pesticide-free land management.

Tree Felling Measures: Safety and Long-Term Planning

As part of the maintenance of municipal green spaces and the urban forest, tree felling measures are planned for the winter half of 2025/2026. These measures are carried out due to damage such as fungal infestation, rot, leaning or storm damage and are intended to ensure traffic safety and the long-term stability of the tree stock.

Overall, more than 650 new trees are planned for the year as part of the Urban Tree Concept. The city is relying on a diverse tree selection with different species such as ash, oak, maple, black locust and others. These measures are part of an extensive climate protection and climate adaptation program, emphasizing the role of trees as CO₂ stores and protection against heat.

The thinning of the urban forest is another important element of maintenance. Overall, 55.4 hectares of land are planned to ensure the protective and recreational functions of the forest. The annual notice of planned tree felling is forwarded to district councils and committees to ensure transparency and participation.

Nature Conservation Advisory Board: Decision-Making and Committee Work

On 10 February 2026, the Nature Conservation Advisory Board of the city of Bochum will meet. In the public part of the meeting, the appointment of secretaries and the election of the chairperson will be on the agenda, as well as reports on current projects such as the "Spring City Clean-Up" and tree felling measures in public spaces.

The election of the advisory board leadership follows the guidelines of the Ordinance on the Implementation of the Nature Conservation Act (DVO–LNatSchG). In the case of a tie, the oldest present member draws lots. Committee work is a central pillar of participatory climate policy in Bochum and enables a stronger involvement of civil society in decision-making processes.

Outlook: Climate Protection as a Central Factor for the Future

The measures taken by the city of Bochum in February 2026 show how firmly climate protection and nature conservation are anchored in local politics. The implementation of the pesticide ban, the promotion of biodiversity through flower strips and the careful maintenance of the urban forest are steps towards sustainable urban development. At the same time, the city emphasizes that it still has room for action to deepen the implementation and launch further initiatives.

The work of the Nature Conservation Advisory Board is also an indicator of the democratization of environmental policy. By involving experts and citizens, policy becomes more transparent and closer to the people.