How is our forest developing? And how does sustainable forestry deal with the tension between recreation, nature conservation and hunting? During a public forest tour with the Wirges City Council and the Dernbach Municipal Council, around 30 participants received exciting insights directly on site – expertly accompanied by district forester Gesche Böbinger.
On Saturday morning, a total of 32 people gathered at Jagdhaus Kehrwieder to take part in a public forest tour together with Wirges City Council and Dernbach Municipal Council. Among the participants were also 10 interested citizens, This underscores the public interest in the event.
In the best weather, Markus Schlotter (Mayor of Wirges) welcomed those present and then handed over the floor to Forestry manager Gesche Böbinger, which expertly led through the approximately two-hour event.
The tour began with a visit to a forested area. There, Ms Böbinger explained how specifically young trees are planted after harmful events or for ecological enhancement.
At the next station, a forest area was presented, which is deliberately left to itself in the regeneration. Such areas serve to preserve biodiversity and offer important retreats for animals and plants.
We then proceeded to a section that had already been marked for digging. Ms Böbinger explained the importance of the different markings for forest maintenance, logging and natural rejuvenation.
At the end of the technical part, the group visited another afforested area, which was equipped with protective measures against wild bites. Particular attention was paid to the close cooperation with the hunters in order to better protect young plants from wild damage.
Back at the hunting lodge, the hunting tenant reported from his practice and talked about the increasing challenges in the area. In particular, the high-traffic Köppelhütte (over 400 vehicles were counted on some weekends) makes game viewing and hunting considerably more difficult due to the increasing pressure on visitors, which in some animal species can only take place during the day. Mountain bikers, who drive across the forest, as well as night forest visitors, who use the shortest path to the parking lot, disturb the game in addition. A little more consideration for nature and the environment is advisable and in the interest of everyone.
Around 12:00 the instructive and impressive forest tour ended and the participants were able to strengthen themselves with a wild sausage. The event highlighted the importance of exchange between citizens, local politics, forestry and hunters in order to sustainably protect and shape our forest as a diverse natural, recreational and economic area.
English (UK)