Kaufbeuren - Over 100 students from the Jakob-Brucker-Gymnasium recently planted the forest of tomorrow in the municipal forest of Kaufbeuren.
The action was organized by Förster Frank Kroll from the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests (AELF).
"The students plant 1200 young trees, mainly silver fir, coastal fir and common beech," says Kroll.
Because these trees are better equipped for climate change than the spruce.
Lord Mayor Stefan Bosse is pleased about the support: "The city of Kaufbeuren has been actively involved in forest conversion through planting and natural regeneration for years - the planting campaign is a great contribution".
This year, the Jakob-Brucker-Gymnasium was named “Environmental School in Europe”. For teacher Dr. Martin Eiblmaier therefore fits the campaign perfectly into the school and the subject matter. "During the planting campaign in the forest, the ninth graders can actively learn what sustainability means". Forestry Director Stephan Kleiner, Head of Forestry at the AELF, adds: "Sustainability means thinking beyond generations, because the pupils' grandchildren benefit from the trees planted".
The trees are planted in the monastery forest, a popular destination for Buronstadt residents. This time the trees are not planted in an open space, but new tree species are placed under the old trees. Forester Kroll explains that the young trees develop better in the shelter and under the umbrella of the old spruce, as they are not exposed to so much drought and frost. That is why he chose fir and beech trees, as they also grow very well in the shade. When the old trees are felled, the new generation of forests is ready. The long-term goal is to create a permanent forest in which there is no longer any open space. The forest functions such as drinking water protection or as an oxygen supplier are thus permanently secured. In times of climate change, forests also play an important role as carbon stores.This, too, can best be guaranteed by near-natural permanent forests.
In any case, despite the cool temperatures in the damp Kaufbeurer city forest, the schoolchildren had great fun and plan to visit the planting area more often in the next few years to observe the development of "their" forest.
And the actors have also already firmly agreed on the next action for next spring.