Umweltzentrum Dresden

Umweltzentrum Dresden is a non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) and the name of the heritage building complex it manages in the Wilsdruffer Vorstadt district of Dresden, Germany. Founded in 1990 by engaged Dresden citizens who formed the Interessengemeinschaft Schützengasse to save the baroque buildings at Schützengasse 16–18 from demolition, the association has grown into a hub for environmental protection, education, and social initiatives. The buildings were ecologically renovated between 1993 and 1997 with support from the City of Dresden, the Free State of Saxony, and the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt). The complex is a listed monument and has housed numerous initiatives, associations, and small companies since 1994. The association's purpose, as defined in its statutes, includes the promotion of nature conservation, landscape management, environmental protection, animal welfare, education, cultural purposes, and youth and elderly assistance. It operates several facilities: the main site at Schützengasse 16–18, the environmental education center "Alte Ziegelei" in Dresden-Prohlis, a wild bird rescue station in Dresden-Kaditz (established in 2007 on the grounds of the sewage treatment plant), and since June 2013 the Äußere Matthäusfriedhof in Dresden-Friedrichstadt, where a species protection nursery and workshop space in the gatehouse are located. The association also runs the Umweltbibliothek Dresden (environmental library) and coordinates collaboration among the organizations in the house. The Umweltzentrum Dresden is home to a diverse mix of environmental associations, initiatives, and small businesses. Notable tenants have included the Grüne Liga Dresden/Oberes Elbtal, the Umweltbibliothek Dresden, the restaurant BrennNessel, and various renewable energy and sustainable transport groups. The association itself engages in projects for international exchange, with partners in Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and China. In 2011, the Umweltzentrum Dresden received the Saxon Environmental Prize (Sächsischer Umweltpreis) for the work of its wild bird rescue station, which cares for up to 800 injured or helpless wild birds annually. The station is staffed largely by volunteers and treats native bird species including owls, birds of prey, storks, woodpeckers, pigeons, waterfowl, and songbirds. The organization is supported by the Stiftung Umweltzentrum Dresden, a sub-foundation of the Bürgerstiftung Dresden, which helps finance projects requiring own contributions. The association is led by a board (Vorstand) and a management team. As of the latest information, Tom Umbreit serves as managing director (Geschäftsführer), and Mike Hölzel is the association's chairperson (Vereinsvorsitzender). The Umweltzentrum Dresden continues to serve as a meeting point and platform for environmental engagement in the Saxon capital, offering rental spaces for offices and events, a café, and a vegetarian restaurant.

The origins of the Umweltzentrum Dresden lie in the peaceful revolution of 1989. At the end of that year, engaged Dresden citizens founded the Interessengemeinschaft Schützengasse to save the baroque building ensemble at Schützengasse 16–18, which was dilapidated and threatened with demolition. In 1990, the group proposed creating an ecological center at the site, an idea that gained approval not only among citizens but also from the Dresden city council. The association Umweltzentrum Dresden e.V. was founded in 1990 and has since been dedicated to environmental protection projects in the Saxon capital. Between 1993 and 1997, the buildings were ecologically renovated. The renovation was supported by the City of Dresden, the Free State of Saxony, and the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (German Federal Environmental Foundation). The house is a listed monument and has housed numerous initiatives, associations, and small companies since 1994. Over the years, the Umweltzentrum expanded its activities beyond the main building. In 2007, it began establishing a wild bird rescue station on the grounds of the Dresden-Kaditz sewage treatment plant. What started with a few aviaries grew into a large station with several staff members, caring for approximately 1,000 injured wild birds annually (the Wikipedia article states up to 800). The station takes in all native wild bird species, including owls, birds of prey, storks, woodpeckers, pigeons, waterfowl, and songbirds, and releases them back into the wild after recovery. The staff work largely on a voluntary basis. Another branch, the environmental education center "Alte Ziegelei" in Dresden-Prohlis, was added later. It is surrounded by old clay pits that are now a nature reserve and habitat for rare plant and animal species. In June 2013, the Äußere Matthäusfriedhof in Dresden-Friedrichstadt became a new branch. The cemetery had not been used for burials for over 20 years; the former cemetery nursery was converted into a species protection nursery, and the heritage-protected gatehouse now hosts workshops. The association has also been active in international exchange, initiating projects with partners from Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and China. In 2011, the Umweltzentrum Dresden received the Saxon Environmental Prize (Sächsischer Umweltpreis) for the work of its wild bird rescue station. The organization is supported by the Stiftung Umweltzentrum Dresden, a sub-foundation of the Bürgerstiftung Dresden, which helps finance projects that require own contributions. The association is governed by a board and a management team, and it continues to coordinate collaboration among the many environmental groups, initiatives, and businesses housed in its buildings.

• 2013

  The Äußere Matthäusfriedhof in Dresden-Friedrichstadt becomes a new branch, with a species protection nursery and workshops in the gatehouse.

• 2011

  Umweltzentrum Dresden receives the Saxon Environmental Prize for the work of its wild bird rescue station.

• 2007

  Establishment of the wild bird rescue station on the grounds of the Dresden-Kaditz sewage treatment plant begins.

• 1997

  Ecological renovation completed.

• 1994

  The Umweltzentrum building complex begins housing numerous initiatives, associations, and small companies.

• 1993

  Ecological renovation of the buildings begins, supported by the City of Dresden, Free State of Saxony, and Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt.

• 1990

  Umweltzentrum Dresden e.V. founded; city council approves the idea of an ecological center.

• 1989

  Interessengemeinschaft Schützengasse founded to save the baroque buildings at Schützengasse 16–18 from demolition.

A non-profit environmental hub and heritage site fostering nature conservation, education, and sustainable initiatives in Dresden.

• Office space rental

  Various office spaces from approx. 6 sqm in the Old Town at Schützengasse 16-18, available for short-term or permanent rent.

• Event space rental

  Unusual and unique event spaces under the roof, in the atrium, in the nature reserve, or at the cemetery.

• Environmental education programs

  Diverse environmental education programs for children and youth, including at the Alte Ziegelei education center.

• Wild bird rescue and rehabilitation

  Medical care, species-appropriate keeping, and release of up to 800–1000 injured or helpless wild birds annually.

• Species protection nursery

  A nursery for endangered plant species at the Äußere Matthäusfriedhof, formerly a cemetery nursery.

• Environmental library

  The Umweltbibliothek Dresden, operated by the association, offering environmental literature and information.

• Vegetarian restaurant and café

  The restaurant BrennNessel and Café Kunstmode offer vegetarian food and coffee in the atrium.

1. 1Service | Das Umweltzentrum Dresdenuzdresden.de
2. 2Wir-ueber-uns | Das Umweltzentrum Dresdenuzdresden.de
3. 3Wir-ueber-uns_Satzung | Das Umweltzentrum Dresdenuzdresden.de
4. 4Wir-ueber-uns_Transparenz | Das Umweltzentrum Dresdenuzdresden.de
5. 5Umweltzentrum Dresden - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Umweltzentrum Dresden - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org