Fitness for the forest: 2,376 trees thanks to 1,000 active participants!

Fitness for the forest: 2,376 trees thanks to 1,000 active participants!

The forest, which is a valuable retreat and place of relaxation for many of us, has received new attention in recent weeks thanks to a special fitness initiative in the Goslar region. From May 1st to June 14th, 2025, more than 1,000 participants from 51 companies took part in the “Movement for our Forest” campaign, as reported by regionalheute.de. Together they covered an incredible 162,254 kilometers of exercise and accumulated a total of 40,268 hours of activity.

This initiative not only aimed to promote the health of the participants, but also to strengthen team spirit within the company. What is particularly noteworthy is that 2,376 new trees were planted in the Goldberg near Bad Harzburg as part of the campaign. Joséfine Barke, who was hired by the Clausthal Forestry Office in Lower Saxony, informed the participants about the current forest situation and the importance of sustainable reforestation.

Forests as habitat and resources

Forests are more than just a collection of trees; they are habitats for countless animal species and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. As fraunhofer.de explains, one of the focuses of reforestation strategies in the Harz is choosing the right tree species. The Fraunhofer WKI is investigating various scenarios, including the planting of site-adapted, high-yield tree species - a crucial factor in adapting forests to climate change.

The research project aims to simulate forest development in the Harz over the next 40 years. The forest-based systems are considered to analyze the impacts on wildlife, forestry operations, wood use and tourism. The sustainable use of wood-based materials is also intensively examined.

Forest and health in focus

The importance of forests to human health is undeniable. They not only offer relaxation, but also clean our air and promote our well-being. International Day of Forests, celebrated annually on March 21, has the theme “Healthy Forests for Healthy People,” a statement supported by the FAO. These findings will also be incorporated into the German Forest Days, which will take place from September 15th to 17th, 2023. The aim is to focus on the valuable contribution of forests to our health and their future care.

The militant initiatives to reforest and preserve our forests appear more necessary than ever. Because healthy forests are not only our green lungs, they are also a protective shield against the diverse challenges of climate change; they store carbon and provide heat protection. But forests are at risk from fires, droughts and insect pests, which requires a forest-friendly policy change and targeted investments.

The final event of the fitness initiative will take place on July 3, 2025, where the outstanding achievements of the participants and the “team captains” will be honored. In the cafeteria of the district hall, an exchange between the participants is encouraged in order to share the experiences they have gained and to tackle new projects.