Ökomaile – Summer Program in the City

Nature Education in the City Program

The Ökomaile is one of the educational formats of the association FOKUS Osnabrück, embedded in the city-wide Sommer-in-der-Stadt program. It is particularly aimed at families with children and playfully and practically conveys topics related to nature, ecology, and geology.

Kick-off on May 24, 2026: Fossil Tour

The first Ökomaile excursion of the 2026 season is dedicated to the question 'How the Leaf Gets into the Stone' on May 24, starting at 2 PM. An expert guide will introduce children and parents to the world of fossils: How do petrifications form? Which plants lived in the Carboniferous period? What do fossils tell us about the climate of Earth's history?

Connection to the UNESCO Geopark TERRA.vita

Osnabrück is located in the UNESCO Nature and Geopark TERRA.vita — one of Germany's most important geoparks. The Piesberg, the Wiehengebirge, and the Osnabrücker Land are home to globally relevant Carboniferous fossils. The Ökomaile tours connect the urban experience with this special geological feature of the region.

Format and Target Audience

The Ökomaile dates are designed to be family-friendly: short distances, child-appropriate explanations, interactive stations. Children receive observation tasks, can touch findings, and ask questions. Parents and grandparents learn along.

Embedded in Summer in the City

The Sommer-in-der-Stadt program 2026 bundles over 100 events from June to September: concerts, open-air cinema, city tours, sports, and family events. The Ökomaile is one of the nature education offerings of this campaign.