Norna Playgrounds aims to contribute to wild nature in industrial park
A small company in Horsens Municipality wants to make a difference for nature and biodiversity. Norna Playgrounds is breaking away from the traditional, well-trimmed lawn and instead lets nature rule freely.
“We cannot save the whole world, but we have to start somewhere. We take responsibility and start with ourselves,” begins Peter Bjerregaard, CEO of Norna Playgrounds, about the project.
The project involves a 9,125 square meter area that was previously a Christmas tree plantation. Now, the area will be left wild, inviting a diversity of nature into the Brædstrup industrial park. Norna Playgrounds develops playgrounds and play equipment for the professional market.
From Christmas Trees to Wild Nature
The former Christmas tree plantation is now being transformed into a biodiverse ecosystem. The area will be Norna Playgrounds’ contribution to the fight against our pressing biodiversity crisis.
A large portion of Denmark’s wild animals, plants, and fungi are at risk of extinction. Nearly 400 species have already disappeared, and many more are threatened. “We all must contribute to reversing this trend,” says Peter.
Let it bee
Let it bee A/S is a company created to work with and implement biodiversity, with lifelong knowledge and skills from various sectors.
For Let it bee, it is about making it easy to work with biodiversity. In collaboration with the Natural History Museum Aarhus, they have composed seed mixtures with native species that will contribute to the restoration of original Danish nature.
“It is increasingly important that we can document our sustainability and responsibility initiatives. The fact that Let it bee offers a certified plug-and-play solution was crucial for us,” continues Peter Bjerregaard.
Sustainability and Responsibility
The biodiverse ecosystem is just one of several initiatives that Norna Playgrounds has taken to benefit the climate and environment.
“Sustainability spans the entire company. Our wood and factory are FSC® certified, but we don’t stop there,” continues Peter.
In 2022/2023, the company established 316 square meters of solar panels, and in 2022, Norna Playgrounds laid out an extensive geothermal system. As a result, the company is now self-sufficient in heat and has achieved a significant CO2 reduction.
Benefiting Animals, Plants, and People
“We want to show responsibility for the world we live in; our current focus is on the local environment and nature. The biodiverse ecosystem in our backyard will not only benefit the insects and plant life in the area. Everyone in the factory and office is also looking forward to enjoying the area. Holding walking meetings takes on a whole new dimension,” concludes Peter Bjerregaard, CEO of Norna Playgrounds.
