The Würmtaler Environmental Award ceremony recently took place at the Kupferhaus in Planegg, featuring all five mayors from the Würmtal communities of Gräfelfing, Planegg, Neuried, Krailling, and Gauting on stage. Actor and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke, along with Planegger municipal councilor Peter von Schall-Riaucour, who initiated the award, distributed a total of €11,000 in prize money before an audience of around 500 attendees. Notably, every one of the 41 participants left with a prize, highlighting the commitment to local environmental initiatives.

The significant participation of individuals, schools, and initiatives is attributed to the expansion of the award this year to cover the entire Würmtal region between Gräfelfing and Gauting. Despite this wider reach, the founder Schall-Riaucour called the high level of engagement 'completely unexpected.' The awards aimed not only to reward outstanding contributions to environmental protection but also to foster community involvement in ecological efforts, a goal supported by the visible turnout at the event.

Christiane Lüst from Gauting won the main adult prize of €3,000 for her lifetime achievements in environmental protection, acknowledged by the jury for her commitment. This celebration of environmental efforts among local authorities and citizens indicates a positive trend towards collaborative action in addressing ecological issues within the region, emphasizing the importance of community-level initiatives.