Discover the Lübeck city forest: Open Forestry Day on July 5th!

Discover the Lübeck city forest: Open Forestry Day on July 5th!

What is happening in Lübeck? On Saturday, July 5th, 2025, the Falkenhusen Forestry Office will open its doors between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m“Open Forestry Day”. Entry is free and registration is not necessary. Special highlights of the day are getting to know the new district forester Annalena Joch and the opportunity to ask exciting questions about the forest. You can chat over coffee and cake in a cozy atmosphere and take a look behind the scenes of forestry.

32-year-old Annalena Joch is a pioneer in her industry. As a district forester, she has set herself the goal of planting over a million trees and thereby helping not only nature but also the climate. Joch is also actively campaigning against the planned construction of a high-voltage line through her forest in order to protect this special habitat. She also organizes her first driven hunt in order to sustainably regulate the game population. These measures are part of a comprehensive approach to natural forest use in the Lübeck city forest, which is considered particularly climate-friendly.

Women in forestry

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Joch is a breath of fresh air. Her colleague, an aspiring forester, actively supports her, with logging and physical work being at the top of the list. According to a survey, many women feel underestimated and underrepresented in the forestry industry. This is one reason why Paul Lang, chairman of the Styrian Forest Association, supported the project“Forest in women’s hands”brought into being. The aim of this project is to create further training opportunities specifically for women in forestry in order to support them in their professional development. This also includes forest walks and chainsaw courses to give the participants more independence.

Another international project,“Fem 4Forest – Forests in Women’s Hands”, was carried out from 2020 to 2022, in which 14 partners from ten countries in the Danube region developed measures to improve opportunities for women in forestry. The feedback shows that women-specific networking and mentoring opportunities are urgently needed. The need for events in which women are equally represented is high, and the new perspectives that women bring to forestry have the potential to significantly promote sustainable forest management.

Annalena Joch's commitment and the projects to promote women in forestry are signs of change in an industry that has been male-dominated for decades. With her approach and vision, Joch could become a role model for many other women in forestry and contribute to sustainably preserving the forest as a valuable resource and habitat. The high level of interest and support for women in this industry shows that something is happening in the forests - and that is good news for all of us!

For day visitors to the “Open Forestry Day” so there is a lot to discover. The Falkenhusen forestry department is ready to welcome you with open arms and a rich program. A good reason to spend the day in the forest and learn more about the important tasks of forestry!

To find out more about Annalena Joch and her approach to natural forest use, those interested can read the reports from NDR view. Anyone interested in the role of women in forestry should definitely take a look at the project Forest newspaper throw.