With sturdy shoes, hoes and a lot of motivation, around 20 UW/H members were active in the Neuenrad city forest last Friday: students, employees and trainees supported the Bergwaldprojekt - an association that works nationwide to protect, preserve and restore ecosystems - in planting heat-resistant oak trees. In doing so, they not only made a practical contribution to climate protection, but also strengthened the new cooperation between UW/H and the association.

The participants planted the last 700 of a total of 2,000 young sessile oaks, which were planted by various groups of helpers over the course of the week. The oaks come from Croatia and cope well with periods of drought. In view of the decreasing rainfall and increasing forest damage in Germany, this species was deliberately selected as it can withstand future climatic conditions.

"I enjoyed being outside for a day and switching off. And to actively engage with the climate and the environment,
because far too little is said about what can actually be done and then it's not done at all.
Self-efficacy was definitely there."

An active contribution to forest development

After a brief introduction by the mountain forest project team, the UW/H group got straight down to practical work. Under supervision, the participants learned how to use the hoopoe hoe to make precise planting holes, place seedlings correctly and carefully compact the soil. It quickly became clear how physically demanding the work is - and how much fun it is to actively contribute to forest development and at the same time learn more about the condition and challenges of our forests.

The joint effort also offered the opportunity to get into conversation with each other outside of everyday university life: Students, staff and trainees worked hand in hand and experienced the day as an enriching exchange.

"I thought the day was simply wonderful. On the one hand, it was a great balance to everyday life,
because we were out in the fresh air all day and worked our tails off.
What I also like about activities like this is that you always come into contact with new people,
that you wouldn't otherwise get to know, even though you spend all your time scurrying past each other at university."

Cooperation to be expanded further

The project combines central goals of the UW/H: in addition to efforts to reduce_{CO2 emissions} on campus, it makes a concrete contribution to climate protection and strengthens action-oriented education in the sense of education for sustainable development. The participants experience sustainability directly and can take the impressions and knowledge gained back to the university as multipliers.

The forester made it clear that there is always plenty to do in the forest and that everyone is welcome to come back. He takes care of the young trees, which need to be regularly cut free of brambles or gorse; these could overgrow the tender seedlings. In this way, the volunteers' efforts have a long-term impact and help the forests on their way to a climate-resilient future.

"I thought it was good that, in addition to planting, we also received such good and precise input.
It made the breaks between planting much more interesting."

With their commitment, the UW/H members have set a visible example: for the protection of our forests, for practical learning and for sustainable cooperation.

What began this year with a first mission will continue to take root. We want to plant trees again next year with the mountain forest project.