Outside the City along the Eisack River

Hello, my name is Lukas. I work as an environmental education officer at the Centre for Education for Sustainable Development in Neustift.

I would like to invite you to pause for a moment and listen carefully.

Here, closer to the city, the soundscape is dominated by traffic: cars, lorries, the hum of human voices. And yet, if you listen closely, other, more delicate voices begin to emerge from the noise. The voices of birds.

The blackbird, with its rich, melodic song, makes itself heard even through the roar of passing cars. But listen carefully — it may deceive you. The blackbird has a remarkable talent for imitation: children’s laughter, the ringtone of a mobile phone, even the wail of a police siren can find their way into its song.

The sparrow, with its lively chatter, mirrors the bustling energy of city life. It is hard to imagine our mornings or an aperitivo at a café without it, patiently waiting nearby for a few crumbs.

And then there are the pigeons, whose unmistakable cooing brings a sense of calm and familiarity. More than any other species, they have become a symbol of urban life and coexistence. For them, there is no real difference between natural cliffs and the façades of our buildings.

All these animals are perfectly adapted to living alongside us. Their presence reminds us that nature does not disappear, even when it seems hidden beneath noise and concrete.

But nature does not appear by chance. It depends on how we care for our surroundings. Green spaces, gardens tended with respect, trees, hedges — these are places where birds can find shelter and food. As we listen, we are invited to ask ourselves: how much space do we allow nature in our cities? And what can we do, day by day, to ensure that it is not lost entirely?