Bonn Forest Talks

Forest discussions in collaboration with academic and international organisations, NGOs and foresters

Bonn will be the European Forest City in 2020. This title is granted by the European Forest Institute (EFI) who will organise the Annual Conference “Forest in the Urbanoscene” in October 2020 here in Bonn. This conference is co-organised with the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the the Ministry for Environment, Agriculture, Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MULNV), the City of Bonn, the University of Bonn and UN University.

In the framework of these events we are holding a series called “Bonn Forest Talks” in collaboration with academic and international organisations, NGOs and forest practitioners based in Bonn. The events will focus on the regional forest in a global context.

Find out more about the Bonn forest talks here [German language]

 

Contact

Gesche Schifferdecker (gesche.schifferdecker(at)efi.int), Communications Manager, EFI Bonn

How to explore and learn about the forests despite Corona: The City of Bonn produced a video series under the motto "Environmental Education at Haus der Natur". Learn more about the Kottenforst and its secrets and discover new things during your next trip to the forests! Organised by: Haus der Natur More information here.
Have you found a smooth stone, a branch overgrown with moss or an uninhabited snail shell and would you like to show your forest treasure to everyone? Then our interactive exhibition is the right place for it. Come to the Haus der Natur and find out how you can help shape the exhibition. The exhibition - with your works - will be on view until Sunday, August 16, 2020. Organised by: Haus der Natur More information here.
The forest can be perceived and experienced in so many different ways. Together we want to take the time to listen to the sounds of the forest, explore the forest floor and make our own forest perfume on a wheelchair-accessible route. Everyone - with and without a handicap - is welcome on this discovery trip. We experience the forest with all senses. Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting point: Haus der Natur (next to the main entrance), An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
A young tree that stretches its first leaves towards the sun, the forest in spring with its multiple wonders is the perfect place to implement photographic ideas with your own camera. In this full-day photo workshop, you will learn about the essentials of photography in order to capture grace, colors and shapes. The nature photographers Uwe Wuller and Paul Kornacker will be at your side to assist you. The workshop includes a short theoretical introduction, an intensive practical part and a final picture discussion. Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting point: Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
Not all forests are the same: It is precisely these differences that we want to identify in a joint discussion with international forest experts. These experts will introduce us to their home forest, and we will further investigate issues like sustainable forest management and forest certificates like FSC and PEFC. Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting place: Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
Georg Winkel, Head of EFI‘s Bonn Office contributes to a lecture series called "Aspects of Global Warming" organised by Bonn University. He will hold a presentation on Europe's forests in climate change and shares the state of the art of forest science. The presentation will be recorded and available online here. Do you have questions you want to have answered during that lecture? You will have the chance to comment live via YouTube's commentary function Organised by: Bonn University More information here.
Under this year’s theme "European Forest City 2020", many local and regional forest and forestry institutions will present themselves and their work and bring the forest into the heart of the city for one day. Besides presentations of various forestry professions, there will be the opportunity to join an open round table and to discuss questions around forestry and related professions with different experts. Venue: Münsterplatz, City Centre Bonn More information here.
Enchanting hours in the spring forest! Young and old will build a forest sofa together, listen to tree tales and marvel at the forerunners of spring in the Kottenforst. A jointly designed forest postcard reminds you of an eventful morning back at home. Senior citizens without grandchildren are also welcome! Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting point: Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
Everyone who would like to try out how to be a forester and manage an oak forest sustainably is invited to take part in an exciting exercise carried out by Wald und Holz NRW together with Volkshochschule Bonn, taking place in Kottenforst. Organised by: Villewälder, Wald und Holz NRW and the Volkshochschule Bonn. Meeting point: Parking space Jägerhäuschen on Reichsstr (L261), about 2 km south of Bonn-Röttgen More information here.
Initiated by Wald und Holz NRW, a clearing in the Kottenforst will have a design space for art and culture. This includes an open-air photo exhibition, a three-day seminar on the subject of "roots of art", an interactive sound installation, philosophical walks and much more. The events aim at drawing attention to the current situation of forest extinction and inviting people to take responsibility for their own actions and to develop common visions of the future.
On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, we invite you to join a hike in the forests. We visit a natural forest cell in the Kottenforst, from which mankind has already withdrawn 40 years ago. The forest can now develop undisturbed. What does nature do when foresters no longer intervene? Together we take a look at a former industrial forest on its way to become wilderness. Organised by: LIFE+ Projekt "Villewälder" Meeting point: Parking space "Rulandstraße" on Reichsstrasse (L261) at the southern end of 53125 Röttgen, terminal stop "Röttgen-Schleife" of SWB bus line 603 More information here.
The Ville forests with their numerous ponds provide ideal habitats for spring frogs and other amphibians. Join us on our search! Organised by: LIFE+ Projekt "Villewälder" Meeting point: Parking space "Jägerhäuschen" on Reichsstrasse (L261) approx. 2 km after leaving Röttgen, Bus stop "Professorenweg" of RVK bus line 843. More information here
Together we go back in time and ask ourselves: How do the pebbles get on the forest paths? How did the wonderful looking beech trees come about? Learn more about the cultural and historical features of the Kottenforst and its biodiversity. Everyone is welcome to this tour of the forest - regardless of whether you are an expert or a pure enthusiast about the forest habitat. Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting point: Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
Woodpeckers become active very early in the spring in the Waldville. With a bit of luck, some of them can be observed during courtship and foraging. Organised by: LIFE+ Projekt "Villewälder" Meeting point: Parking space on the forest road behind the sports field in Swisttal-Dünstekoven. Can be reached by RVK bus line 845, bus stop Dünstekoven "Waldstraße", from there 900 m walk through the forest road towards NABU nature reserve station. More information here.
There is high demand for furniture, parquet flooring, window frames or instruments, yet consumers may not know about international wood trade and timber origin. On the basis of samples and an illustrated lecture, Dr. Gerald Koch (Thünen Institute) will explain the ways in which wood comes into the country, where it is used and how experts can recognise different types of wood. Organised by: Thünen Institut and the Volkshochschule Bonn Venue: VHS Bonn conference room, Mülheimer Platz 1, 53111, Raum 1.11 More information here.
No matter whether you already know the Kottenforst or have just discovered it. At night the forest has a different face and is much more mystical and mysterious than during the day. A night hike is the perfect opportunity to stimulate your imagination, exchange horror stories and learn about the nocturnal forest inhabitants such as owls, foxes and wild boars. Organised by: Haus der Natur Meeting point: Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48, 53127 Bonn More information here.
Panel discussion in the framework of the International Conference “Governing and managing forests for multiple ecosystem services across the globe” Organised by: EFI, Swedish University of Agriculture, Forest Sciences Center of Catalunya, Russian Academy of Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, University of Freiburg and Luela University of Technology Venue: caesar Research Centre, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn More information here.