Heat, drought, and wildfires - what we’ve experienced this summer is the climate crisis right here at home.

UW/H is taking action by both reducing emissions and strengthening ecosystems to help them adapt to the climate crisis.

In terms of reduction, UW/H aims to cut emissions from its operations by 35% by 2030 compared to 2022 levels and to offset any remaining emissions thereafter through investments in climate protection projects. This is also the focus of this year’s UW/H Day of Action.

In keeping with the slogan “There’s more here than just a university,” UW/H staff and students can take effective action themselves to combat climate change: On November 17, 2026, they’ll head out into the forest - or to places where there used to be a forest. Participants will plant trees and learn how to strengthen local ecosystems and adapt them to the consequences of the climate crisis. With this initiative, the UW/H aims to demonstrate once again how we, too, can take effective action even in times of crisis.

This year’s action day will take place in the Zonser Heide in Dormagen under the expert guidance of Bergwaldprojekt e. V. The Bergwaldprojekt is an official UN Decade project for the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity and ensures the effectiveness of its projects through transparent quality criteria and expertise in nature conservation.

As in many other locations, climate-related problems are also evident in the Zonser Heide: drought and pest infestations have severely damaged the spruce stands since 2019. This is dramatic in many respects.

In this densely populated region, the Zonser Heide is a popular local recreation area and serves as a valuable stepping-stone habitat and a regulator of the microclimate. In addition, it benefits the surrounding agricultural lands through improved water retention. To ensure it can continue to fulfill this function in the future, the forest is to be managed in a near-natural way, and the proportion of deciduous trees is to be increased.

Participation in the action day is free for all UW/H members and may take place during working hours upon consultation with supervisors.

Schedule for November 17, 2026:
• 8:00 a.m.: Departure from UW/H
• 9:00 a.m.: Start at the meeting point and breakfast with informational presentations (Planetary Boundaries, climate crisis, international agreements)
• 10:00 a.m.: Planting instructions and planting of native trees
• 1:00 p.m.: Lunch and discussion (native ecosystems, socio-ecological transformation)
• 2:00 p.m.: Planting
• 4:00 p.m.: Closing session
• 5:30 p.m.: Arrival at UW/H

Refreshments: Tea, beverages, snacks, and a hot lunch will be provided. Please let us know if you have any food intolerances.

What to bring: Please bring sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing/rain gear.

Transportation: Carpooling will be organized; the exact address will be provided after registration. Please indicate during registration whether you can provide a car and how many people it can accommodate. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Registration: Participation is limited to 25 people. Spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is easy via this link.
The registration deadline is November 6, 2026.