Educational afforestation in Karlstadt

The 3rd of December 2024 was more than just an ordinary day in the fresh air. We stood on loamy, sandy soil which, although not yet overgrown, seemed very alive. In the heart of the Karlstadter Klimawald (in German), pupils from class 6E of the Johann-Schöner-Gymnasium helped us transform a piece of fallow land into a climate-resilient mixed forest.

We planted a total of 4,100 new climate-resilient trees on 1 hectare of fallow land, including sessile oak, service tree, wild cherry and large-leaved lime. A new forest that will not only withstand climate change and sequester around 822 tonnes of CO₂ over the next 80 years, but also instil the importance of nature conservation and sustainable action in the minds of the pupils. Created by them, right on their doorstep.

4,100 trees? Ok, ok, we didn’t do it all ourselves. We received tremendous support from the Karlstadt Forest District, led by Claudia Stiglbrunner, who had already pre-planted 4,000 trees by the time we arrived.

Being on site during the afforestation is very important to us, but it is only part of our work, as our mission is also to educate and raise awareness of effective local climate protection—particularly among young people.

Teaching the importance of nature in a playful manner#

So this time, it was more than just a planting campaign: the pupils learnt in a playful and engaging way just how important it is to treat nature with respect. Through tree-planting and climate workshops, building wild bee houses and creating a bee pasture, they discovered just how much fun active climate protection can be.

We could feel their enthusiasm as they said: “Better than maths!” Some were already planning their 50th school reunion in the Klimawald, so they would be able to admire the fruits of their planting labour.

We learnt something new too: although wild bees can sting, their stings are barely noticeable compared to those of honeybees or bumblebees.

It was particularly impressive to learn how important it is for the nesting tubes in wild bee houses to have very smooth inner walls. Only then can the wild bees use their new breeding sites safely without injuring their delicate wings.

Afforestation is important for climate protection#

Trees are true climate protectors: as they grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, store it long-term in their wood and, at the same time, release vital oxygen. They also provide important habitats for numerous animal and plant species, regulate the local climate by providing shade, increase air humidity and prevent soil erosion. Researchers estimate that they can sequester 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ worldwide—about 1.5 times as much as the annual emissions of the USA.—

In Germany, forests were long used as an economic resource, resulting in many monocultures rather than species-rich mixed forests with diverse age structures and heights. These monocultures are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. This is because, as the fourth Federal Forest Inventory shows, a dying forest can also become a source of CO₂ due to drought, storms and pest infestations. Every new mixed forest is therefore an important contribution to climate protection and an investment in a liveable, sustainable future.

Planting trees has a long-term impact on the climate#

The Karlstadter Klimawald is therefore also the future. Protected by the Federal Forest Act (in German), the area is preserved for climate protection and cannot be converted. This ensures that the trees will be there for a long time and can have their full impact on the climate.

For the pupils, what remains above all is the unique experience and the realisation that it doesn’t take much to do something good. A tree, planted with one’s own hands, is a symbol of hope, sustainability and the powerful impact of small acts. To recognise these efforts, everyone was given a personal planting certificate, seed bombs, seed pencils and information leaflets on forests and climate protection to take home. Today showed us once more how important and effective our climate protection efforts can be when many people come together and work towards a common goal.

We would like to say thank you#

Projects like this are only possible thanks to the active support of our donors, committed individuals and, in this case, the funding of the German Postcode Lottery (in German), which made the educational aspect of the afforestation possible.

Thank you for the active support and on-site guidance provided by the initiator of the Klimawald and Zurich District Director Jürgen Rohm, who also arranged the tree donation worth 8,000 euros.

Thank you to Claudia Stiglbrunner, head of the Karlstadt Forest District, for organising the planting; to biology and chemistry teacher Heiko Gase; and to class 6E, who participated enthusiastically. Our thanks also go to beekeeper Ellen Roether for her informative workshop on wild bees and to Mayor Michael Hombach for opening the event.

Why we do this#

With ForTomorrow, we are creating new, near-natural, climate-resilient mixed forests to protect our local climate and ensure that German forests once again become an important carbon reservoir that will support us in the fight against climate change.

In addition to our afforestation projects in Germany, we also reduce CO₂ emissions by purchasing and retiring EU ETS emission rights unused. Furthermore, the EU’s revenue from the EU ETS flows directly into the energy transition of industry. So let’s:

• Protect biodiversity and wildlife
• Regulate the climate through carbon storage and oxygen production
• Improve soil quality and reduce erosion
• Improve water quality by filtering out pollutants
• Educate and raise awareness of climate protection among the public

By supporting our afforestation projects, you are actively helping to protect our planet, preserve our biodiversity and shape a future worth living – for all of us. Together, we are making a difference. Join us!