Update about our school forest

On a weekly basis, a group of students dedicate their Wednesday morning to our new school forest, a 19ha area located nearby the College. In their last session, they helped the local foresters identify and mark oak, pine and chestnut trees as well as douglas firs – which are valuable for the ecosystem due to their drought resistance – and cut the trees around them to provide for more space and light:
“At first, it felt weird to cut trees to make the forest more resilient against climate change; but then we understood the role of key species. It was amazing to work outside so close to nature while learning about the ecosystem forest and knowing that our work will benefit the ecosystem. We even found a dray in the process, which is the nest of squirrels.”

Part of their work also contains gathering data about the location, height, diameter, and health of the trees that will be kept. In addition, the group is working on converting a 0,25ha area with only hazelnuts into a plantation of sessile oaks; upcoming community events will focus on the preparation of the plantation site and the actual planting of the sessile oaks. Volunteers welcome