Youth anglers from Fühlingen are awarded the Togetherness Prize!

Youth anglers from Fühlingen are awarded the Togetherness Prize!

In Cologne-Fühlingen there is not only fishing, the future of nature is also being actively shaped here. Thorsten Thomas and Roman Schacht, the heads of the youth department of the Ford fishing group, were recently honored with the Cologne Together Prize for Democracy and Diversity. The award presentation took place ceremoniously in the clubhouse at Fühlinger See, with district mayor Diana Siebert as a prominent well-wisher. Their achievements in promoting fishing and nature-based education for young people are impressive and deserve special attention. According to Rundschau Online, both discovered their passion for fishing as children and are now passing this enthusiasm on to around 70 members of their youth group - one of the largest of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia.

But it's not just fishing that should be fun, the focus is also on treating nature with respect. Thomas emphasizes how important it is to offer children an alternative that is close to nature. The association attaches great importance to the species-appropriate treatment of the fish population in Lake Fühlinger. The use of unhooking mats, which have been mandatory since last year, ensures that caught fish are released gently. Thomas and Schacht are also regularly involved in the “Köln putzmunter” campaign and have collected over 400 kilograms of waste at the lake.

Focus on community and integration

The club not only shows commitment to the environment, but also contributes to social integration. The two leaders introduced refugee children, especially from Ukraine, to fishing. They were even able to organize 1000 euros for their equipment. As a boy from Ukraine aptly put it: Fishing makes him sad because he used to go fishing with his father. But when he caught a fish, his smile returned.

These initiatives by the fishing club are exemplary of a broader movement in Cologne and beyond, in which active efforts to preserve healthy biotopes and promote diverse underwater fauna are the focus. Events and protective actions strengthen the community and promote exchange among members. As emphasized by the Angel-und-Sportfischer-Dachverband, fishing is a welcome way to spend time in the community of like-minded people and to preserve the waters in Cologne for the future.

A place of peace and joy

These passionate efforts are a reminder of the values ​​that are also upheld in the Bad Zwischenahn Fishing Association. Here, training for responsible interaction with nature is particularly promoted in order to sensitize future generations to environmental and nature conservation. This makes fishing not just a leisure activity, but a place of peace, joy and community for all fishing enthusiasts.

The Fühlinger youth department and its committed leaders Thorsten Thomas and Roman Schacht deserve respect for their valuable contributions to the community. They show us that active, responsible action in nature and supporting young people can go hand in hand. And all true to the motto: Together for a vibrant future in nature!