Date
Trees
41 250
Area
6.0 ha
Offset volume
4 800 tonnes
Land ownership type
State-owned
Afforestation partner
Landesforste Schleswig Holstein
Tree species
Sessile oak, European white elm, wild cherry, European beech, black alder, Norway maple, sycamore maple, shrubs

New Climate-Resilient Forest in Schleswig-Holstein

In spring 2025, a new and diverse mixed forest was established in Schleswig-Holstein on land that had previously been intensively used for agriculture. Together with the Schleswig-Holstein State Forests (AöR), we were able to finance the initial afforestation of approximately 6 hectares within a total project area of 8 hectares. The sites are located in the districts of Stormarn and Segeberg, in the municipalities of Mönkhagen and Strukdorf—an area where new forests make an important contribution to climate resilience and the strengthening of near-natural landscapes. This new forest will develop into a climate-resilient, structurally rich ecosystem that sequesters carbon over the long term, promotes biodiversity, and creates valuable habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.

About the Strukdorf afforestation

The afforestation was carried out in spring 2025 following careful planning. The forest is dominated by pedunculate oak, which makes up around 80 percent of the trees, complemented by fluttering elm, wild cherry, European beech, black alder, as well as Norway and sycamore maple. Native shrubs were planted along the forest edges to create natural transition zones and enhance ecological diversity.

The site, with its seasonally moist boulder clay soils, is intersected by small streams whose banks provide valuable habitats. The carefully designed edges create structurally rich transition zones, increasing the ecological value of the area. The location of the afforestation is particularly important, as it connects two existing forest patches, forming a larger, contiguous woodland that also provides a key refuge for sensitive species such as the nearby breeding white-tailed eagle.

The project – from site mapping and land preparation to planting and ongoing maintenance – was implemented by the Schleswig-Holstein State Forests according to recognized forestry standards. Approximately 55 000 trees were planted across the 8-hectare site, 41 250 of them on the 6 hectares supported by our initiative. A protective fence was installed to prevent browsing by wildlife, and maintenance includes regular inspections and undergrowth management.

On 8 December 2025, the afforestation was officially completed during an on-site visit. Our Manager for Nature-Based Solutions, Carla, joined the project partners to see the newly established forest first-hand.

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Our objectives for this site

  • Strengthening climate resilience, soil health, and the water cycle
  • Promoting biodiversity
  • Ecological and landscape enhancement of the region
  • Measurable contribution to climate protection through carbon sequestration of up to 10 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per hectare per year

Timeline

A photo of the seedlings on the afforestation site.
A photo of the site, taken by Carla during her visit on December 8, 2025. The seedlings planted in spring have successfully established and are developing well across the area.