Future forest: Students plant 60 trees for climate protection!

Future forest: Students plant 60 trees for climate protection!

A fresh wind blew through the “Auf der Ruit” community forest in Schwarzenfeld on November 5, 2025, when class 3b of the local elementary school planted 60 climate-resistant trees in a committed community project. Under the watchful eyes of class teacher Anna Lommer, mayor Peter Neumeier and forester Thomas Hebauer, the campaign set an example for climate protection and sustainability under the motto “Your future – forest, wood, climate”. The planting campaign was supported by the tree donor Richard Kurz, a respected master carpenter from the region.

The trees planted, including Douglas firs and white elms, are intended not only to reforest the forest, but also to sensitize students to the importance of the forestry and timber industry. This initiative is part of the nationwide action days of the “Wood Saves Climate” initiative, which took place until October 5th. Particular attention was drawn to the danger posed by bark beetles, which can damage stands in community forests, underlining the importance of such reforestation measures.

A strong community project

With a total of 24 students from class 3b, the planting campaign was not only a practical teaching unit, but also a step towards increasing awareness of environmental and climate protection. The project work in local history and science lessons had already discussed the importance of forests and their role in climate protection in advance. The children not only learned something about planting, but also about the challenges that our forests have to overcome in the face of climate change.

The “Wood Saves Climate” initiative is supported by the German timber industry and is intended primarily to inspire and motivate young people about the valuable contribution of forests to climate protection. A practical approach enriches the curriculum and promotes understanding of ecological relationships.

More about sustainable development

Such actions are not only important locally; they are part of a larger movement for sustainable development that has a place in many areas of our lives. Although the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) contributes to the formation of a free society with its commitment to democracy and social justice, it becomes clear here that every measure in environmental education, no matter how small, has its place in the bigger picture. With 1,500 employees worldwide and a variety of initiatives, including around 2,800 scholarship holders annually, the FES makes a valuable contribution to political education.

In a world in which the challenges posed by climate change are becoming increasingly urgent, young people can learn important skills and take on responsibility through such projects. Planting trees is not only a practical step towards climate protection, but also an active contribution to preparing future generations for the challenges that lie ahead of them.