"Now we're finally getting started! The planting of our school forest is an important step towards a sustainable and environmentally conscious educational environment for our pupils. We are convinced that it will not only expand the young people's knowledge, but also strengthen their connection to nature and responsibility for our planet," said Sabrina Priebe, Head of Gebhardshagen Secondary School.

Michael Buntfusz, Head of the Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the City of Salzgitter, thanked the pupils of Gebhardshagen secondary school and the teachers: "Together, everyone is committed to the school forest, planting it and thus being able to organize lessons in direct contact with nature. Those involved are actively committed to our environment and are thus taking responsibility for our future."

Elisabeth Hüsing, Director of the Future Forest Foundation, added: "We want to make children and young people more familiar again with nature and forests, their development and diversity as well as their immense importance in the age of climate change. And what better way to do this than by planting and looking after your own forest?"

The secondary school will be able to use the newly planted forest as an extracurricular learning space for 30 years. Pupils will be able to explore the school forest and watch it grow. The Future Forest Foundation will provide the school with educational and financial advice and support for its activities in the school forest. The project will raise young people's awareness of nature and help them develop sustainable environmental awareness. Through joint activities in the school forest, the sense of community is strengthened and the children learn to take responsibility for their own actions.

Over the past three days, pupils from Gebhardshagen secondary school, teachers, pupils from Am Sonnenberg elementary school, volunteers from the Lower Saxony "Stiftung Zukunft Wald" foundation and other volunteers have already planted around 3,800 seedlings.

The result will be an oak-dominated mixed forest with hornbeam and deciduous trees (bird cherry and small-leaved lime) mixed in. As the area borders on the "Fuhse", tree species typical of riparian forests will be planted (e.g. pedunculate oak, wych elm, black alder). Wild apple and wild pear serve as a nibbling corner for birds and small animals.

The forest is bordered by a highly biodiverse shrub border consisting of over ten different native shrubs that are important for insects (including dog roses, coneflower, hazelnut and sloes).

The current condition of the field and farm track is the result of the wet weather during the sugar beet harvest. As the owner of the path, the city of Salzgitter intends to restore the path to its original condition (gravel farm track with water-bound surface) in 2024. This will also restore the accessibility for bicycles and thus the accessibility of the school forest.

In the fall of 2024, another 1,200 trees and shrubs will be added to a remaining area in the west.

Information on school forests:

There are currently four school forests in Salzgitter:

• Citizens' forest in Thiede (Ellernweg)
• School forest of the grammar school in Salzgitter-Bad (Lange Wanne)
• School forest of the Kranichgymnasium (between Lebenstedt and Salder, on the Fuhse)
• School forest of the Kranichdamm School (south of the glider airfield in Lebenstedt)

New (fifth) school forest at Gebhardshagen secondary school:

On an area of one hectare to the north of Gebhardshagen, the Realschule Gebhardshagen is planting its own school forest as part of the "School forests against climate change" project after six years of intensive planning and commitment on the part of the teaching staff and student body.

The "Stiftung Zukunft Wald" foundation, which has been successful in over 80 sustainable school forest projects in Lower Saxony since 2011, is cooperating with the Gebhardshagen school and the city of Salzgitter, which is providing the land for the new forest for 30 years.

The school forest projects are an important part of the city of Salzgitter's climate protection initiative.