Current State of Lübeck's Forest Regrowth
The city of Lübeck, Germany, is facing a setback in its ambitious reforestation project, as a dispute with the state over control and responsibilities for the reforestation process has caused delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
In June 2019, Lübeck's CDU political party proposed planting one million trees in the city over five years, with the designated areas being in the city forest and funded by the Citizens' Assembly. However, only two suitable municipal areas could be identified for reforestation, leading to the budget funds not being fully drawn.
Originally, Lübeck planned to plant about 400,000 trees on the former city estate. But the project has been divided into seven partial areas due to the dispute with the state, which is causing uncertainties and administrative challenges that hinder timely and effective use of funds.
The state's concern is about young trees interfering with a planned high-voltage line from Tennet, which is in dispute with Lübeck. CDU environmental politician Jochen Mauritz believes the responsibility for the dispute lies with the state, not the administration.
Despite the challenges, progress has been made. In September 2020, the Citizens' Assembly provided 250,000 euros for the purchase of plants and construction of wildlife fences for the reforestation project. A reforestation project has been carried out on an eight-hectare area in Vorrade, with 37,790 trees planted as of September 2024. Currently, 43,000 trees for the area in Niendorf-Moorgarten are being procured.
The Lübeck administration has planned 200,000 euros for the next budget year 2025 for the reforestation project. The funds for 2025 will be used for the construction of fences, seed collection, and procurement of further plants for the reforestation project.
The high-figure sum allocated for reforestation in Lübeck's city forest is not being fully utilized, slowing down the restoration of the city forest ecosystem and delaying associated benefits such as biodiversity recovery and climate mitigation.
The sowing is not included in the count of trees planted. If you need more precise, up-to-date details on Lübeck's city forest reforestation, you may need to consult local government or environmental agency reports directly.
- In an effort to combat climate change and promote environmental-science, the city of Lübeck, Germany, initiated a reforestation project in 2019, aiming to plant one million trees over five years.
- The lifestyle and home-and-garden sectors can play a role in supporting Lübeck's reforestation project by encouraging the use of sustainable products and practices that prevent deforestation and promote tree-planting.
- Despite the challenges faced by Lübeck's reforestation project, including bureaucratic hurdles and disputes with the state, the science community remains hopeful about the project's potential to contribute positively to climate-change mitigation and ecosystem restoration.
