Wolfratshausen forest owners' association receives state award

The state prize for exemplary forest management is awarded every two years.

This year it went to the Wolfratshausen Forest Owners Association.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen

- Bavaria's Minister of Forestry Michaela Kaniber awarded the Wolfratshausen Forest Owners Association (WBV) the state prize for exemplary forest management in the Munich Residence on Wednesday. Because: Since it was founded in 1949, the WBV has been doing what was given as the motto this year: “Caring for tomorrow's forest today.” In her laudation, the minister made clear how important this is in the current situation: “Our forests not only protect us from natural hazards, give us the air to breathe, provide clean drinking water and offer us relaxation from everyday life. They also make an indispensable contribution to climate protection. "

The WBV is one of a total of 15 award winners.

What is special: The proposal of the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests (AELF) Holzkirchen received broad support, namely from the district administrators Josef Niedermaier (Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen), Olaf von Löwis (Miesbach), Christoph Göbel (district Munich) and from Bund Naturschutz, the Energiewende Oberland, the State Federation for Bird Protection, the Isar Valley Association and the Hunting Round Table.

For Christian Webert, head of the AELF authorities, it quickly became clear who would be the ideal winner in view of this year's motto: “For over 70 years, the WBV has been innovatively committed to sustainable forests and active and well-trained forest owners.

The already high level of commitment has increased again in recent years. "

The Wolfratshausen Forest Owners Association

The Wolfratshausen Forest Owners Association was founded in 1949. It has 1,400 members, the member area covers 24,000 hectares. The association area extends from Munich to the Austrian border with the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district and parts of the Munich, Miesbach, Weilheim and Starnberg districts. Chairman is Hans Killer, managing director Florian Loher. As a self-help organization, the WBV supports its members in the management and care of their forests. The core business is the best possible marketing of the wood. But the intensive training program for members, their presence on the political stage and networking are also central. The cooperation with the forest administration has a long tradition and was fixed in writing in 2019. 

WBV boss Hans Killer from Altkirchen (district of Munich) sees his work confirmed: "We do everything we can to ensure that our forest owners receive the necessary knowledge and support in practical implementation in order to be able to manage their forest responsibly, close to nature and sustainably." For him, the award is a "great honor and like Olympic gold".

He is particularly pleased with the great support on site.

"It shows how our work is valued in the region."

Also read: 300 new trees planted at Sonnenspitz

One thing is certain: the forest of the future must be climate-stable. The complex renovation is only possible with motivated forest owners. The WBV makes its contribution by training almost 1000 members every year on various advanced training courses. In addition, she uses all communication channels from the print press to her own Facebook presence to provide information. Anyone who needs practical help with forest maintenance can find a contact at the WBV. This applies not only to the experienced farmer, but also to the layman without any reference to the forest. Cooperations in the form of forest maintenance contracts are also offered. Not to be neglected is the aspect of forest-compatible wild life. That is why the Round Table Hunting has met once or twice a year since 2012.This makes the forest owner association a pioneer in terms of understanding between hunters and forest owners. At joint events, people talk to and not just about one another.

Also read: The forestry report is pending again

In her laudatory speech at the Residenz, Minister Kaniber expressed her concern about Bavaria as "Germany's number 1 woodland".

In the face of relentlessly advancing climate change, it is a mammoth task to preserve Bavaria's green lung for future generations.

However, the winners encourage her to succeed.

"They are the key to success."

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