On Saturday, 15 March 2025, around 26 students and supporters once again took part in a tree planting campaign in cooperation with Rittergut Lucklum and the Stiftung Zukunft Wald foundation. 1,000 trees were planted on an area near Erkerode in Elm.

Together, a fallow area was reforested, which, in combination with natural regeneration, should form a climate-stable mixed forest in the long term.

The campaign builds on the student-organized tree planting campaigns of the last two years. This year it was planned by the two students of the Faculty of Law, Antonia Herre and Thomas Nass.

"We continue to think the commitment of Ostfalia and the students is great. Only together can we make a difference and ensure a sustainable future. Everyone can make a contribution. Here, many young people have committed themselves to the future of the forest - and thus also to future generations," says Helmut Gockel, Managing Director of Rittergut Lucklum.

In preparation for this year's campaign, the Rittergut Lucklum once again made an area in the Elm near Erkerode available and prepared it for planting. The volunteers were instructed on how to plant correctly by the employees of Rittergut Lucklum.

Together with interested external participants, Ostfalia students planted the 1,000 trees under supervision until the afternoon. The Stiftung Zukunft Wald foundation provided the volunteers with the necessary spades.

In addition, Thomas Nass received this year's Ostfalia Rotary Award for special social commitment for his commitment on March 3, 2025. This was due to the fact that Thomas Nass has played a leading role in launching a regular tree-planting campaign for students at Ostfalia since October 2021. Dr. Thomas Böckmann, President of the Rotary Club Salzgitter-Wolfenbüttel, presented him with the club's “Sponsorship Award for Special Social Commitment” in the amount of 1000 euros.

This year was another successful tree-planting campaign, which will hopefully be followed by many more in the future.

Students from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences took part in a tree planting campaign in cooperation with the Rittergut Lucklum and the Stiftung Zukunft Wald foundation and planted 1000 trees in the Elm. 

Text/Photo: Thomas Nass und Rittergut Lucklum