FUTURE FOREST FORUM 2024
OUR HANDS-ON FORMATS ON SATURDAY
You choose your own programme
We are convinced that a new way of thinking about forestry comes from experiencing innovation in practice! Therefore, we created an exciting mix of different excursions, workshops and masterclasses for the second day of the Forum, that you can select individually. You can find a complete overview of this year's forum here.
Save your spot on your favourite excursion, workshop and/or masterclass!
The registration for the excursions, workshops and masterclasses will be activated shortly via mail for all ticket holders for the Future Forest Forum 2024. The number of participants is limited - be quick!
Special excursion Harz National Park
During this 5-hour excursion, you will be personally guided through the protected area by Roland Pietsch, the head of the national park administration.
Further information
The Harz National Park is an ideal test area to learn lessons for more complex and more natural forest ecosystems, which, for example, would like to utilise the newly emerging markets for biodiversity and ecosystem services. As part of this 5-hour excursion, which starts early on Saturday, you will be personally guided through the protected area by Roland Pietsch, the head of the national park administration. You can expect information on lessons learnt in the context of deadwood, biodiversity, structural diversity and much more. At the same time, Germany's national parks are regularly looking for new solutions to support their work, be it to measure biodiversity or to create digital tools (digital ranger) to optimise their own services. Use this excursion as an intensive deep dive into the world of large protected areas!
Hike along the Blankenburg Teufelsmauer (Devil's Wall)
Hike with us along the beautiful Teufelsmauer, a geological beauty in the forest around Blankenburg, and get to know three innovations that have already been realised in the context of digitalisation, the digital twin of the forest as well as afforestation and biodiversity management.
Further information
The Devil's Wall excursion combines the “Digital Forest Asset Management” of our partner Aari, which enables optimized operational forestry planning for 30 years + periods, with new renaturation and reforestation solutions for climate-stable silviculture. Get to know the following concrete innovations:
First, the prototype of a new forestry machine that closes the gap between harvester and motorized-manual felling and allows timber harvesting and reforestation to be integrated into one process step.
Secondly, the reforestation approach of Bison Forest, which combines species-rich and specifically reforested stepping stones with natural regeneration. This enables the rapid and controlled reforestation of large areas.
Thirdly, the mapping of the aforementioned methods as well as other forestry and renaturation measures in Aari GmbH's Digital Twin of the Forest. Experience for yourself how the digital twin of forestry enables a more efficient and effective forest management and how well it reflects reality.
For those who are particularly interested, Bison Forest also offers a creel construction workshop that extends the excursion by half an hour and ties in directly with the stepping stone presentation.
Find out whether or not the various solutions pass the practical test on the Devil's Wall excursion!
Hike through the SUNK forest in Blankenburg
GERMAN LANGUAGE ONLY: The Saxony-Anhalt Foundation for Nature, Environmental and Climate Protection (SUNK) provides an insight into its many different projects in the natural heritage forest.
Further information
The starting point is the courtyard of Blankenburg Castle, from where the trail leads through the forest with its many young beech trees towards Luisenburg Castle. At various stopping points, Ulrich Jabin, head of the Blankenburg natural heritage forest, explains everything important about process protection and the characteristics and special features of the natural heritage forest. Once you arrive at Luisenburg Castle, the forest changes to an oak forest with flowering heather. Here everyone can enjoy the view while Mr Jabin provides information on the special management of the oak forest. We continue on to the Lutherberg. Climate damage can no longer be overlooked, so the foundation's open space management plays an important role. Heading towards Braunesumpfthal, participants pass the SUNK's Weisergatter. Woodpecker monitoring is also carried out here. Once at Braunesumpfthal, Mr Jabin reports on meadow maintenance and the management of invasive species, before heading back towards Blankenburg Castle via the Silberhüttenteich pond (more information on amphibian monitoring and restoration measures).
JKI for Forest Conservation in Quedlinburg
Visit the relatively young Institute for Forest Conservation of the Julius Kühn Institute in Quedlinburg and get to know its many exciting research projects and subject areas.
Further information
The Institute of Forest Conservation was founded at the end of 2022 to meet the enormous new challenges of forest conservation in the face of climate change. The central tasks of the institute are the development of short- to long-term strategies and solutions to strengthen the resilience of the forest. A special focus of the excursion is placed on a presentation of the digital twin of the forest and an experimental setup for sensor technology in the forest.
Forest bathing
GERMAN LANGUAGE ONLY: Reduce stress by experiencing nature: Experience the calming effect of nature during a 1.5-hour forest bathing workshop.
Further information
Forest bathing, also known as "Shinrin Yoku" from Japan, means "immersion in the forest atmosphere" and promotes stress reduction and well-being. Studies show that spending time in the forest activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels and strengthens the immune system. UV-B radiation also increases vitamin D levels, which prevents depressive moods and regulates the sleep-wake rhythm. The forest environment relieves the brain of everyday stimuli and promotes mental recovery.
Bring along: Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear, ideally a seat pad, something to drink, insect repellent spray.
For even more hands-on experience - our masterclasses and workshops!
In addition to our excursions, we also offer masterclasses and workshops on current challenges in forestry. Take part and learn from experienced experts!
Innovation-Management
Innovation is key for tackling complex challenges. But how to manage it?
Further information
Successfully mastering special challenges requires creativity, courage, foresight, careful planning and structure. These qualities are the foundation of modern innovation management in every company. A customised digitalisation strategy and the necessary adjustments to the forestry strategy due to climate change are essential building blocks for the holistic further development of your company.
In his masterclass, Dr Christoph M. Scheuren places a special focus on the forestry industry and teaches co-creative management and solution models. Find out how you can successfully and sustainably integrate innovations and new solution ideas into everyday forestry operations. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to make your company fit for the future and successfully face the challenges of the industry.
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Communication in forestry
Some challenges require an unconventional apporach. But how to communicate it?
Further information
Successfully mastering forestry challenges requires creativity, courage, foresight, careful planning and structure. Climate change and changing market conditions make it necessary to regularly adapt and develop your corporate strategy. The public is aware of these changes, but is not always able to understand them. A customised communication strategy is therefore an essential building block for the success of your company.
Use this masterclass as a unique opportunity to further develop your communication skills so that you can generate a greater understanding of the complex challenges and options for action in the forest industry and create acceptance. The podcasters and Youtubers from "Forst erklärt" will give you an insight into their work and lots of tips for successful communication. The philosopher and start-up representative Hannah Schragmann will also shed light on the topics of communication mentality and political discourse.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Attracting skilled professionals - digital recruiting in the forest context
Today's working world is characterised by many upheavals - from demographic trends to changing values; challenging conventional HR methods. How can value-based recruiting help to attract skilled workers in the environmental and forestry sector?
Further information
In this workshop, Dr Christian Hüttich will shed light on demographic trends in Germany from a scientific perspective and focus on value-based recruiting in the forest and environment sector. Participants will learn how they can attract skilled workers and talent in a targeted manner in view of the changes in the world of work. The focus will be on the current demographic situation, changing working environments, effective recruiting strategies and practical examples from social recruiting and digital applicant management.
Innovative timber engineering
Get to know pioneering approaches to sustainable construction - for example, modular solid timber buildings, innovative utilisation of weak and damaged timber and modified woods as an alternative to tropical hardwoods.
Further information
- Ante Holz: The construction project ‘Wohnquartier am Grün’ in Frankenberg (Eder) shows a forward-looking solution for the accommodation of refugees through the use of modular solid timber construction. With 31 wooden modules that were built sustainably, quickly and attractively, ante Holz aims to contribute to the climate change and respond to the weak construction industry.
- TriqBriq: This presentation sheds light on how weak and damaged timber can be kept in circulation as an innovative building material using a micro-modular timber construction system. TRIQBRIQ provides insights into the product design, the production process and the benefits for the forestry sector as a sustainable customer.
- Tymba GmbH: Tymba modifies native, fast-growing woods to achieve the properties of tropical hardwoods and thus create a sustainable alternative. The process improves the mechanical properties of the wood to a point where it becomes harder than many plastics and some metals, making it a promising substitute for conventional building materials.
Digitalisation strategies and solution concepts in forestry
Get to know digital innovations in the forestry and energy sector during various keynote speeches.
Further information
- palos: Forest Mapping Management (FMM) presents the ‘palos’ software, which digitally maps the entire timber flow from the plant to the sawmill.
- Caeli Wind: Hannes Gries presents the ‘Caeli Wind’ platform, which uses geodata to quickly identify and market wind energy sites.
- Data infrastructure for the forest: wetransform GmbH and the Data and Forest Initiative will present options for action that can pave the way for more digital innovations and then invite participants to think together about possible steps to realise such structures.
Empowering Communities through Sustainable Solutions: The Indian Tree Planting Initiative
How can local communities be the driving force for sustainable solutions in crisis regions? Dedicated to this question, this workshop shows how environmental protection and the strengthening of economic and social resilience can align.
Further information
The workshop ‘Empowering Communities through Sustainable Solutions: The Indian Tree Planting Initiative’ in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, emphasises the central role of local communities in overcoming environmental and economic crises. Vidarbha, despite its rich natural resources, struggles with agrarian and environmental problems that have led to severe social impacts such as high indebtedness and numerous farmer suicides. The initiative promotes sustainable reforestation and environmentally friendly farming techniques that strengthen local communities, increase their resilience and offer them economic prospects. By putting local actors at the centre, the project not only contributes to the ecological stability of the region, but also to improving livelihoods and creating sustainable models for global impact.