Meet Nils Lauritzen - gardener

Biodiversity means that there must be room for all kinds of animals. Both insects and larger animals. Because as Nils says: "If I were a horse, I would scrape holes in the ground where flowers can grow. That's how it works in nature." And that's what Nils takes care of - as 'the big animal in the garden' - namely making space and digging holes so that other animals and plants can get in. Because it is all connected - and Nils knows this, because he is responsible for Sinatur Storebælt's newly established biodiversity park.

"In a traditional park, you often go for something very well-groomed. The flowers you have not planted yourself are taken away. But I think we should go another way - here the flower species should come in by themselves," says Nils Lauritzen.

Nils has been employed at Sinatur since August 2022 - but his way in was through a company internship at the hotel during the Tour de France in 2022.

"It came about because I wanted to change industries. I wanted to be a landscaper. And then I got the offer to do a company internship at Sinatur. They needed someone who could help because there was going to be a Tour de France," says Nils Lauritzen, who previously worked as a school teacher.

When the internship ended, he had a job offer in his hand. And Nils had no doubt that he should say yes.

What is the best thing about being part of Sinatur?
"One of the things that struck me early on was that it's a very dynamic workplace. There are always things you have to be ready to grasp and relate to. It's great. And it's a very flat and open structure. If I have questions or get an idea, I can go up to my director and then she is receptive to it. There is a great atmosphere and a curiosity in relation to my work with our biodiversity park."

What does it mean to you that Sinatur is working to become a more sustainable and responsible hotel chain?
"First and foremost, it means that there is a correspondence between what I think is important and what my workplace thinks is important. This also means that when I buy seeds or plants, for example, I have to consider whether it is the right thing in terms of sustainability. I also can't buy a shovel without considering whether this is the right thing to do in relation to the goals of being responsible. What used to be called garden waste is now a resource and every Friday I pick up coffee grounds from the kitchen and use it actively out in the garden. Everything is about how we do it in the best possible way in terms of being as sustainable as possible."

What does nature mean to you?
"First and foremost, it means tranquility, experiences and joy. Nature is like art and music, it's lovely and it enriches your senses."

Are you happy when you go to work?
"Always. It's strange, but I really am. It is meaningful to go to work. Sometimes it's less fun when you have to sweep sidewalks and remove ice. But almost everything I do is about doing what interests me most. Namely, to get more beetles, butterflies and caterpillars into the garden. And then there are some incredibly nice people I work with."

If you have to recommend Sinatur to others, what would you highlight?
"I want to highlight one of the things that struck me first, namely that you are met with openness and trust. The safest approach for a boss is often to do a micromanagement and then gradually give freedom along the way. But that's not the case here. Of course, there are tasks that need to be solved, but first and foremost, you get the feeling that you are welcome here and we are sure that you can solve your tasks."