Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald Baden-Würtenberg

The Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald (SDW) Baden-Württemberg is a dedicated nature conservation association that has been committed to the protection and preservation of forests since 1947. As part of non-governmental nature conservation, we work to preserve and promote the forest as one of the most precious ecosystems of our time.

• Forest Education: We offer comprehensive forest education programs ranging from school forests and forest kindergartens to youth forest homes. These programs enable children and young people to build an intensive and exploratory relationship with nature[5].
• Tree Planting: For over 70 years, tree planting has been a central element of our work. Annually, we plant more than 100,000 trees as part of Arbor Day to renew and expand the forest stock[4].
• Forest Youth and Youth Work: Our volunteer district associations run forest youth groups that encourage young people to experience and protect nature. Projects like "Waldbewegt" for children and adolescents with ADHD demonstrate our commitment to inclusive nature experiences[5].
• Training and Events: We offer training, holiday programs, and events ranging from forest mobiles to specific excursions and workshops. These activities serve education and engagement for the forest[5].

Our mission is to protect the forest and inspire people to do so. We advocate for sustainable future development and stand for diversity and democracy, both in forest and nature conservation as well as in our youth and educational work. Our guiding principle is: "You only love what you know, and you only protect what you love."[5].

• Climate Protection and Forest Care: We are actively engaged in adapting forests to climate change. Through sustainable forest management and environmental projects, we work to preserve forest functions for future generations[3][4].