German Association for the Protection of Forest
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
The Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald e. V. (SDW), or “German Association for the Protection of Forest,” is a nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1947, dedicated to forest conservation and sustainable management in Germany. It aims to raise public awareness of the importance of forests and protect biodiversity, playing a key role in the country’s forestry policy and environmental education.
The SDW is structured as a decentralized organization with local chapters across Germany. Its key components include the General Assembly, the highest decision-making body that elects the Board of Directors, and oversees organizational strategy. The Board manages day-to-day operations, while the Scientific Advisory Council provides expert guidance. Local chapters address regional environmental issues, enhancing community engagement. The Executive Director and staff handle administrative functions, and the youth division, Deutsche Waldjugend, fosters conservation awareness among young people. The SDW funds its work through membership fees, donations, grants, and fundraising campaigns.
We are a community of dedicated forest conservationists preserving forest beauty and health through: conservation, ecological functions, community engagement, environmental education, discussion, volunteering, mediation, and the people-nature connection.
Country Information
Germany, an industrialized European nation, has approximately 34% forest cover. Recent years have seen over 600,000 hectares of forest loss and around 80% of forests showing reduced vitality, underscoring the urgent need to adapt forests to climate change. Forests, especially those in urban areas, provide vital ecosystem services such as flood prevention, cooling, air filtration, carbon sequestration, recreation, education, and habitat. However, these services are at risk when forests are unhealthy or degraded.
The Rhein-Ruhr metropolitan region, one of Europe’s most densely populated areas, has about 10.1 million residents and the highest GDP in Germany. It includes economically challenged cities like Gelsenkirchen and Duisburg, which have significant populations reliant on social security and a large immigrant community. Approximately 20% of residents in the region are from migrant backgrounds, making it socially and ethnically diverse. Climate change has severely impacted local forests, leading to dieback and necessitating the planting of native, site-adapted tree species. This transformation into climate-resilient forests will be a multi-generational endeavor.
The Need
Restructuring urban forests for climate resilience is vital. By planting site-adapted species, we promote biodiversity and ensure ecosystem services for future generations, while addressing youth alienation from nature. This project targets lower secondary students across all state schools, aiming to inspire diverse youth to protect forests, enhance their understanding of the ecosystem, and involve them in hands-on conservation efforts.
The Project We Fund
Forest Project Days is an educational initiative that connects middle school students with their local forest ecosystems and promotes forest protection in Germany. This project aims to inspire and empower young adults to safeguard their forests while aiding in the planting of climate-resilient species in urban areas. Over three years, the SDW will collaborate with nine schools, planting a total of 9,000 trees (approximately 3 hectares). Projects will adhere to our tree planting standards, ensuring quality with site-adapted species, native deciduous trees, and proper forest care. Corporate volunteers from Concentrix can join these trees planting events alongside students and the SDW team.
The Result
In collaboration with the University of Dresden, we have created a self-evaluation survey to assess participants’ understanding and appreciation of forest ecosystems, sustainable management, and forest protection before and after the project. Additionally, we will debrief participating teachers and systematically gather their feedback.
Ecological Component: As part of our tree planting program’s monitoring efforts, we will conduct site visits to document planting progress in subsequent years. Using empirical forest inventory methods, we’ll assess the vitality and failure rates of the projects, implementing supplemental plantings if the failure rate exceeds the critical threshold of 20%.
