Our Projects
A story in three chapters.
Three forest sites in northern Germany — acquired, developed, observed. This page covers how it began, where we stand, and what comes next.
Timeline
Three rings. Three forests.
Every forest leaves its mark as a tree ring. The three highlighted rings represent the three acquisitions of the Waldfreunde — from the centre outward, as time grows from core to bark. Click a ring to open the chapter.
- Stockelsdorf (2021)
- 13.5 ha · Schleswig-Holstein · Erste Waldfläche, Beginn der Waldfreunde
- Kirch-Jesar (2022–25)
- 97 ha · Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · Grösste Fläche, Kiefernumbau läuft
- Alt-Zachun/Hoort (2025)
- 123 ha · Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · Bisher grösste Erwerbung, 123 ha
Stockelsdorf
Stockelsdorf is the smallest site in area but the most historically significant for the Waldfreunde. Reforested in the late 1990s on former agricultural land, what began as a planted culture forest has developed into a young mixed deciduous woodland.
The site lies north of Lübeck, close to the Lübeck city forest — the cradle of the Lübeck Model. This proximity was no coincidence: Knut Sturm, former head forester of the Lübeck city forest, helped shape the Waldfreunde's forestry concept.
| Previous condition | Target |
|---|---|
| Aufforstungsfläche (vormals Landwirtschaft, Ende 1990er Jahre) | Naturnaher Laubmischwald nach Lübecker Modell |
Kirch-Jesar
At 97 hectares, Kirch-Jesar is the most complex site in forestry terms. Located in Ludwigslust-Parchim, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it is dominated by pine monoculture typical of the region.
Acquired in several tranches from 2022 to 2025, Kirch-Jesar illustrates the Waldfreunde's strategy: gradual assembly of contiguous forest area and stepwise conversion to mixed native woodland.
| Previous condition | Target |
|---|---|
| Kiefernmonokultur | Heimischer Laubmischwald mit Buche, Eiche und Edellaubholz |
Alt-Zachun / Hoort
The most recent acquisition covers two parishes near Kirch-Jesar: Alt Zachun and Hoort, also in Ludwigslust-Parchim. Of the 123 hectares, 73 ha is pine forest and 50 ha agricultural land — earmarked for long-term conversion to forest.
Together with Kirch-Jesar, this creates a contiguous management area. Integrated hunting rights across 123 ha are essential for natural regeneration — controlling deer pressure so young trees can establish without protection.
| Previous condition | Target |
|---|---|
| Kiefernwald (73 ha) und Ackerfläche (50 ha) | Arrondierte Eigenjagdfläche; Waldumbau und Umwandlung der Ackerfläche in Wald |
Northern Germany
Where our forests stand
Interested in participating?
Write to us ↗