Not everything is green in the grassland yet

Even before the actual interview, Dr Simone Schneider and farmer Marc Rollinger get talking. The meadow sage can currently only be found at 30 out of 130 locations in the west and south-west of the country. The natural scientist sounds concerned for a reason. After all, as part of the Sicona nature conservation syndicate, she is working to preserve these and many other wild plant species in Luxembourg.

The species-rich meadows (see info box) are in a poor state. And yet they are the ones that are most important in the Grand Duchy. "Around 30 different types of meadow have been identified in Luxembourg, " explains the expert. Depending on site conditions, soil composition or water availability, they can harbour up to 60 plant species. The meadow types have illustrious names such as bristle grass meadows, calcareous semi-dry grasslands, lean lowland hay meadows, Calluna heaths or moor grass meadows. And they in turn provide a habitat for numerous insects, birds and bats.