Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft

What Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft does

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft (NBL) is a Germany-based non-profit network initiative of Mellifera e.V., founded in 2003 by organizations from agriculture, nature conservation, and beekeeping to counter widespread pollinator insect decline. Its core methodology centers on regionally adapted wild plant seed mixtures (Regiosaatgut / autochthones Saatgut) comprising 50+ native species, applied across private gardens, farmland, municipal green spaces, and corporate estates via the establishment of insect-friendly bloom areas (Blühflächen), biodiversity strips (Biodiversitätsstreifen), and hay meadow transfer (Mahdgutübertragung). The organization does not develop proprietary software or hardware technology; its intellectual capital is in ecological methodology, two decades of accumulated domain expertise, and an extensive free educational content library.

The network monetizes through a diversified non-profit revenue stack: (1) one-time product sales of seed mixes, perennial plant packages, garden signs, info panels, books, calendars, and merchandise via the Mellifera online shop (mellifera.de) and a dedicated spreadshop; (2) recurring membership fees and direct donations to parent association Mellifera e.V.; (3) variable-amount sponsorship tiers (Blühpatenschaft, Klimapatenschaft, Firmenpatenschaft, Heckenpatenschaft, Baumpatenschaft); and (4) the Mission: Blütenmillion campaign at €5 per 500 blossoms planted, targeting 1 million blossoms by 2026-2027. The go-to-market motion is community-led, executed through a Germany-wide network of volunteer-driven Regionalgruppen (regional groups), content marketing via bluehende-landschaft.de, newsletter, social media, events, and corporate partnerships.

Customer segments span eight groups: private individuals and home gardeners; farmers/agriculture; municipalities and public authorities; companies and businesses; schools and KiTa; church communities; horse keepers; and forestry operators. Research and demonstration partnerships anchor larger projects — notably Landwirtschaft 5.0 in the Ortenau region (15 farmers, 15 fields, with Fraunhofer, University of Freiburg, Hochschule Geisenheim, AGCO Fendt, BayWa r.e., Climeworks, Carbuna, and others) and KOOPERATIV with the University of Göttingen — positioning the network as a coordinating node in Germany's biodiversity and climate-agriculture ecosystem. Operations are Germany-only, headquartered in Rosenfeld, and legally organized as a non-trading initiative of the registered non-profit Mellifera e.V.

Name

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft

Legal name

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft

Website

https://bluehende-landschaft.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft is a German non-profit network initiative of Mellifera e.V. that promotes pollinator biodiversity through regionally adapted seed mixtures, habitat restoration, and education, serving farmers, municipalities, corporates, schools, and private citizens across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pollinator Conservation Services

NAICS

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321), Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD), Honey, Beeswax & Other Apiculture Products from Forest Landscapes (AFAMAFAK), Smallholder/Community Forest Group Certification (SLIMF) Support (AFAMALAG)

Keywords

• Insect conservation
• Pollinator habitat
• Native seed mixtures
• Biodiversity programs
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Rosenfeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Product sales (Saatgut, merchandise, publications): The network sells seed mixtures, garden signs, info panels, calendars, books, perennial plant packages, stickers, and branded merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, etc.) through the Mellifera online shop and a dedicated spreadshop. Revenue is one-time per transaction with no stated recurring model.
2. Membership fees and donations: Individuals and organizations support the non-profit through membership subscriptions and direct donations to the parent association Mellifera e.V. (account holder). The network is a charitable initiative, and contributions are tax-deductible in Germany.
3. Patenschaften (Sponsorships): The network generates revenue through multiple sponsorship tiers: Blühpatenschaft (flower sponsorship), Klimapatenschaft (climate sponsorship), Firmenpatenschaft (corporate sponsorship), Heckenpatenschaft (hedge sponsorship), and Baumpatenschaft (tree sponsorship). These are symbolic contributions (e.g., €5 per 500 blossoms planted) that fund specific on-ground projects.
4. Mission: Blütenmillion campaign: Donations of €5 per 500 blossoms planted under the Mission: Blütenmillion initiative, targeting 1 million blossoms by 2026–2027. Participants become official Action Blühpaten and are entered into prize draws for sustainable rewards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft is a German non-profit initiative founded in 2003 under Mellifera e.V. that sells insect-friendly regional seed mixtures (Regiosaatgut) and plant packages, publishes educational materials such as books, calendars and flyers, coordinates volunteer regional groups, runs individual and corporate sponsorship programs, and carries out applied biodiversity and pollinator-habitat projects across agricultural landscapes in Germany.

Product overview

Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft operates as an environmental organization (not a traditional SaaS company) offering a portfolio of seed products, educational materials, sponsorship programs, and consulting services. The core products consist of insect-friendly seed mixtures ('Blühende Landschaft' perennial mixes with 50+ native species), perennial plant packages, and information signage. These are complemented by sponsorship programs (Blühpatenschaften, Klimapatenschaften), educational resources (books, calendars, handbooks), and branded merchandise. The organization also conducts research projects like 'Landwirtschaft 5.0' combining biodiversity promotion with climate protection through agro-photovoltaics and biochar applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NBL: Abbreviated name / short form used in merchandise and branding for Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft.

Products and services

• Regionale Saatgutmischungen (Regiosaatgut) Regionally adapted wildflower seed mixtures for creating insect-friendly habitats, sold to home gardeners, farmers, municipalities and companies.
• Pflanzenpakete (Plant packages) Pre-curated plant packages designed to provide pollinator forage in gardens, balconies and landscape projects.
• Schilder (Habitat signs) Informational signs used to mark and explain insect-friendly habitat areas on private and public land.
• Fachbücher und Kalender (Specialist books and calendars) Books, annual calendars and specialist publications providing pollinator and biodiversity knowledge for lay and expert audiences.
• Patenschaften (Sponsorships) Sponsorship/adoption programs offered separately to private individuals and to companies (Firmenpatenschaften) to fund pollinator habitat work.
• Online-Shop Merchandise Branded merchandise and printed materials sold through the organization's own online shop and Spreadshop.
• Beratungs- und Bildungsmaterialien (Advisory and educational materials) Flyers, handbooks and advisory publications providing guidance to farmers, municipalities, schools, churches and horse keepers on creating pollinator habitats.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% decline in insect biomass recorded in protected areas over 30 years (Krefeld study, cited as context for urgency)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• University of Göttingen – Department of Functional Agrobiodiversität (Funktionelle Agrobiodiversität)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the KOOPERATIV project. The department contributes expertise in functional agro-biodiversity to the network's cooperative land use research.
• University of Göttingen – Department of Social-Ecological Interactions in Agricultural Systems (Sozial-ökologische Interaktionen in Agrarsystemen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the KOOPERATIV project. Provides social-ecological systems expertise for understanding farmer-landscape interactions.
• Hipp (company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the 'Lebensraumvernetzung für Insekten' project, the network collaborates with Hipp on the path toward child-friendly agriculture (enkeltaugliche Landwirtschaft).
• Ithaka InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project, contributing expertise in carbon sequestration and biochar applications for agriculture and biodiversity.
• University of Freiburg (Universität Freiburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project, contributing to the interdisciplinary research on climate-smart agriculture.
• Hochschule Geisenheim (Geisenheim University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing viticulture, horticulture, and landscape ecology expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Hochschule RottenburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing forestry and ecosystem management expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical research partner contributing expertise in solar energy and agro-photovoltaic systems to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical research partner contributing expertise in environmental technology, biochar, and emission reduction to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Björnsen Beratende Ingenieure (BCE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy contributing technical expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 research project.
• Institut für ökologische Waldforschung (Institute for Ecological Forestry)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing ecological forestry expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Ortenau district (Ortenaukreis) with 15 participating farmerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner hosting the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project with 15 participating farmers and 15 demonstration/research fields in the Ortenau region.
• City of OffenburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner contributing public green space management expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• AGCO FendtsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAgricultural machinery manufacturer contributing electric field machinery to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project's agro-electromobility component.
• Apollon SolarsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSolar technology partner contributing to the agro-photovoltaic systems within the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• Solar-FabriksupportingTechnology or IntegrationSolar panel manufacturer contributing photovoltaic equipment to the agro-photovoltaic components of the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• BayWa r.e.supportingTechnology or IntegrationRenewable energy company contributing solar and storage solutions to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• BadenovasupportingTechnology or IntegrationRegional energy utility contributing renewable energy solutions and infrastructure to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project in the Ortenau region.
• E-Werk MittelbadensupportingTechnology or IntegrationRegional electricity provider contributing to the energy infrastructure and renewable energy solutions in the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• ClimeworkssupportingTechnology or IntegrationCarbon capture technology company contributing direct air capture and carbon sequestration expertise to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project's climate goals.
• VTGreensupportingTechnology or IntegrationAgricultural technology company contributing electric/green machinery solutions to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project.
• CarbunasupportingTechnology or IntegrationBiochar company contributing plant biomass carbonization products to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project's soil improvement and carbon sequestration component.
• Xenoplex OG and MSG (regional multiplication partners)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional multiplication partners responsible for local dissemination and implementation of Landwirtschaft 5.0 practices in the project region.
• Demeter (advisory board)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiodynamic farming association represented on the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project advisory board.
• Bioland (advisory board)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's largest organic farmers' association represented on the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project advisory board.
• Naturland (advisory board)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic farming association represented on the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project advisory board.
• Fachverband Pflanzenkohle (German Biochar Industry Association, advisory board)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiochar industry association contributing expertise on biochar regulation and standards to the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project advisory board.
• Energy Watch Group (advisory board)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational climate and energy policy research organization on the Landwirtschaft 5.0 project advisory board.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: U.S.-based non-profit specializing in invertebrate conservation including pollinator habitat programs; comparable mission and community-led conservation model, but operates in North America and does not directly compete for German donors or partners.
• Pollinator Partnership: International non-profit supporting pollinator health through partnerships, certification programs (Bee Better Certified), and corporate engagement — a thematic peer in the same biodiversity/conservation funding space, though globally focused and not German-domestic.
• Buglife: UK-based invertebrate conservation charity with similar pollinator-and-meadow focus; analogous community-partnership and habitat-creation model but operating in the United Kingdom rather than Germany.

Direct peers

• Deutscher Imkerbund (DIB): National German beekeeping association with overlapping pollinator-protection and floral-resource advocacy; comparable mission in supporting bee populations and addressing nectar/pollen scarcity in agricultural landscapes.
• Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU): Germany's largest environmental NGO with broad biodiversity, species-protection, and habitat programs that overlap with NBL's pollinator-and-meadow work. Comparable as a non-profit member-funded conservation organization targeting German audiences, but with much larger scale and a broader remit.
• Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND): Major German environmental NGO active in biodiversity, agriculture-policy, and species protection; operates parallel membership, donation, and project-based programs comparable to NBL's community- and project-driven model.
• Mellifera e.V. Parent association and legal trustee of Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft; operates the seed shop, manages donations, and shares the beekeeping-and-biodiversity mission with the network. Functionally the closest counterpart given overlapping product lines and shared donor base.
• Stiftung für Mensch und Umwelt: German foundation focused on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable land use; runs analogous initiatives blending agriculture, conservation, and citizen engagement that closely mirror NBL's interdisciplinary approach.

Broad incumbents

• Naturland: International organic farming association with strong German membership; advisory-board partner on Landwirtschaft 5.0 and comparable to NBL in farmer outreach and biodiversity-friendly agriculture positioning, though it does not specialize in pollinator habitats specifically.
• Bioland: Germany's largest organic farming association; an advisory-board partner on Landwirtschaft 5.0 and serves a comparable farmer/municipality audience with overlapping biodiversity and sustainable-agriculture programming, though its primary remit is certification rather than habitat creation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/bluehland
• Facebookfacebook.com/bluehende.landschaft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bluehland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Netzwerk Blühende Landschaft