At the 2nd Climate Ideas Competition organised by the Climate Fund Klagenfurt, “Sophie’s Garden – Environmental Education, Biodiversity and Wisdom of Nature” , a Nature-Volunteering project by Neue Akropolis – School of Philosophy was recognised as one of six winning projects. Deputy Mayor Patrick Jonke, Councillor for Climate and Environmental Protection, and Dr Wolfgang Hafner presented the award to the project leader, Dr Patricia Winkler-Payer.

Sophie’s Garden is a garden of questions where answers grow. The freely accessible garden invites visitors to rediscover nature and brings together biodiversity, environmental education and natural wisdom in a lively way. At the heart of the award is the nature trail ‘Nine Steps to Natural Wisdom’, which clearly illustrates ecological interrelationships and encourages conscious reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. The programme is complemented by environmental education workshops. The area, already designed to be close to nature with trees, permaculture elements and diverse habitats, demonstrates how a former brownfield site can be transformed into a place for biodiversity, social interaction and active climate protection.