Project visit: Experience climate protection on your own doorstep

The first thing our guests notice is the smell of the fresh, damp forest floor. And the second is the forest owner’s excited dog, who is to accompany us throughout the day. Together with the forester, who helps carry out the many ecological measures and natural forest management practices that go on here, we set out to explore the forest. It’s not that easy. Unlike the pine monocultures, which shaped the landscape through which we drove on the way to the project site and allowed an unobstructed view through the forest, the forest here already seems almost impenetrable.

This is due to the planting schemes that form the basis for its conversion into a structurally rich and biodiverse forest for future generations. More than 25 different tree species have been planted, individually and by hand, in selected locations. The different heights of the plants, the higher proportion of deciduous trees and the many intermediate plantings stop the view after just a few metres. This is also good for many rare and protected animal species, some of which have already re-established themselves as a result, as the forest owner reports. 

Resilient mixed forests for future generations

Experts at myclimate explain why active forest renewal is necessary here. In the past, many German forests were designed to produce the most efficient yield. The main focus was on fast-growing coniferous species. As climatic conditions change, these trees, which originated from high altitudes, are increasingly under stress from beetle infestations, droughts and storms, and are therefore not very resilient. Multilayer and species-rich mixed forests, on the other hand, are intended to prevent large-scale forest damage and can also store more CO2, which offers high climate protection potential for future generations.  

The difference between taking action and doing nothing

We visit several sites and learn how complex and time-consuming forest renewal is. We learn about locations, trying out pioneering methods, soil quality, scientific monitoring with our project partner Pina Earth, and external testing in accordance with the Wald-Klimastandard (German forest climate standard). The fact that roughly half of Germany’s forests are privately owned offers great potential to bring about real change together with forest owners, supporters and climate protection organisations. Here in this forest, this circumstance shows us, as though there were a line drawn with a ruler, the difference between taking action and doing nothing: at the last viewing point, the project area borders on another owner’s forest. “By renewing my forest, I also want to be a role model for other forest owners,” says the owner of the myclimate project area.   

Companies can make things happen

After our trip into the forest, myclimate experts explain what is possible in terms of companies setting up regional climate protection projects, and the opportunities that arise from that. Whether it’s rewetting moors, building climate-adapted forests or using agroforestry systems: they all offer companies tangible added value. Talking to the companies that travelled to the event revealed a number of different reasons for their involvement, be it the achievement of self-imposed climate targets or activities relating to BVCM measures. Building customer and employee loyalty through local projects was also clearly highlighted as a motivating factor.