Forest Project Portfolio

In the climate project 'Altmark', over 140 hectares of pine- and larch-dominated forest in Saxony-Anhalt are being converted into a near-natural, biodiverse mixed forest. By doing so, the project avoids and removes over 18,000 tons of CO₂ emission over 30 years from the atmosphere, preparing the forest for future climatic conditions.

Project activities such as the promotion of natural regeneration, the introduction of new species such as English oak, Douglas fir, maple and mountain elm, mixture regulation and adapted wildlife management make the forest more resistant to the consequences of climate change such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

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TÜV

ISO 14064-2:2019

Following a site visit in September 2023, the project has now been successfully audited and certified by TÜV Nord Cert in accordance with ISO 14064-2. The validation report has been submitted and the credits have been distributed and are therefore available immediately.

Successful Third-Party Certification

The site visit is part of the certification process at the beginning of the GHG project. Several stands were visited to verify the initial situation in the project.

Site visit by auditor

The conversion of the areas was initiated in February 2023. The planned measures will be implemented over the next 30 years.

Start of the project

The establishment of the future mixed forest is currently in progress. On selected sub-areas, fencing has been installed to protect against browsing by wildlife. Following this, seeds were sown, including red oak and sweet chestnut. Tree species such as pine, oak, beech, and birch are expected to naturally regenerate on the prepared soil.

To support germination, targeted soil disturbance was carried out by aerial methods. This helps to protect the seeds from wind displacement and drying out, ensuring optimal conditions for successful establishment and growth.

Establishment of a new forest stand

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The pine-dominated stands will be enriched with various tree species in the next forest generation.

Lennard Sieck is in charge of the Altmark project as district manager.

Spruce is also being taken over into the next forest generation in suitable locations.

The beech regeneration develops well under the light canopy and protection of the pines. 

Fungi play a key role in the forest ecosystem by recycling nutrients from dead wood and promoting soil-forming processes.

A multi-layered structure can already be seen in partially converted stands. 

Altmark

Umbau von kieferndominiertem Wald zu biodiversem Mischwald

Conversion from pine-dominated forest to biodiverse mixed forest

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Pina Earth

Lennard Sieck

Ronja Wolf

Forest adaptation

 “Together, we were able to define the project activities in such a way that they have the greatest impact on making the forest climate-friendly.”

Wind plays a decisive role in the development of forest fires. In row-planted monocultures, the wind can easily push the fire through the stand, which leads to a faster spread of forest fires.

Forest fires

Forest areas with many tall and thin trees are more susceptible to storm damage (so-called windthrow). If, in addition, most of the trees in a section of forest are the same height, storms can lead to the loss of entire forest sections.

Storms

The Marienthal project is converting over 160 hectares of a largely single-layer coniferous forest in Brandenburg into a structurally diverse mixed forest over a project period of 30 years.

At the start of the project, the area was mainly dominated by pine and larch. By planting tree species appropriate to the location, promoting natural rejuvenation and regulating competition, the forest will become more diverse in terms of structure and biodiversity. In addition, the forest will become more resistant to the increasingly frequent consequences of climate change, such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

Marienthal Final Project Area after validation 02072024

Following a site visit in May 2024, the project has now been successfully audited and certified by TÜV Nord Cert in accordance with ISO 14064-2. The validation report has been submitted and the credits have been distributed and are therefore available immediately.

Successful Third-Party-Certification

The site visit is part of the certification process at the beginning of the GHG project. Several stands were visited to verify the project's initial situation.

The conversion of the areas was initiated in mid-2021. The planned measures will be implemented over the next 30 years.

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 Monocultures, such as those consisting of spruces, are susceptible to calamities - mixed forests are better able to withstand damages, e.g. from bark beetles.

Permanent forest as a target state - silvicultural measures help to create structural diversity and changing light conditions.

Many of these clearings were created by beetle infestation of the spruce stands.

Promising tree species also rejuvenate naturally. These need to be protected from browsing, such as the young Norway maple shown here.

Deadwood (such as beech) as a valuable biotope structure is left standing or lying where possible.

Marienthal

Umwandlung eines kieferdominierten Waldes in einen biodiversen und strukturell vielfältigen Wald

Conversion from pine-dominated forest into a bio-diverse and structurally diverse forest

Till Standarski

Marko Eggers

Prolonged drought weakens trees, which can then no longer adequately protect themselves against bark beetles and other infestations. As the trees are close together, a beetle infestation can easily spread to the entire forest and destroy large areas of it.

Beetle infestation

The ‘Gudow Mill’ climate protection project borders the Hellbachtal nature reserve and is located in southwest Schleswig-Holstein, not far from Hamburg. The overarching goal of the project is to establish a multi-layered mixed forest on an area of 140 hectares. This will bind more than 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ over a period of 30 years. 

This will be achieved through natural forest management. As part of the project activities, the natural regeneration of native deciduous tree species such as beech and sessile/English oak is specifically promoted. These measures are supplemented by planting and sowing. The newly introduced tree species primarily include Douglas fir, coastal fir and larch, but also deciduous tree species such as maple and red oak. As a result, the increased biodiversity and structural diversity make the forest more resistant to the consequences of climate change, such as storms, dry periods and beetle infestation.

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Following the tree planting activities in spring, targeted thinning measures were carried out in selected areas of the project site during the second half of the year. These interventions help reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients, creating improved growth conditions for young trees.

The strategic use of existing tree stands plays a crucial role in successful forest transformation. By selectively removing individual trees, lighter and more open forest structures are created, providing space for a new generation of forest to establish and thrive—while also supporting greater biodiversity.

Making room for the next forest generation

In April 2024, Pina Earth visited the project area in person and took pictures and videos for the project documentation and marketing.

Project visit by Pina Earth

In the spring of 2024, over 4,500 trees were planted, including Grand Fir, beech, Norway maple, and Douglas Fir—four different tree species selected specifically for their positive ecological properties. Each species contributes in its own way to the stability and biodiversity of the forest.

To ensure the successful establishment of the young trees, protective fences were constructed in parallel. These fences help shield the newly planted seedlings from browsing by deer and other animals, as young shoots and tender bark are a highly sought-after food source. This protective measure ensures that the trees can grow undisturbed and develop into a resilient, species-rich forest in the long term.

Further Planting and Fence Construction

At the beginning of 2024, 500 Grand Firs were planted on the project site. This tree species was specifically chosen because it makes an important contribution to the long-term stability and diversity of the forest.

Planting

The conversion of the areas was initiated at the beginning of 2022. The planned measures will be implemented over the next 30 years.

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The project 'Gudow Mill' is located in the Hellbachtal landscape and nature reserve.

The forest owner is checking the prior sowing of beech.

There are numerous ancient oaks around the Gudow Mill.

Holes in the canopy caused by calamities are filled by planting and sowing.

A wide variety of waters in and around the project area provide habitats for rare plants, insects and bird species.

Gudower Mühle

Etablierung eines klimastabilen Mischwaldes

Gudow Mill

Establishing a climate-stable mixed forest

Christoph von Bülow

Patrick Ibron

"Pina is supporting me in converting my forestry business from conventional management to a near-natural, climate-stable permanent forest."

The aim of the Wendland forest conversion project is to gradually convert a pure pine stand covering a total of 165 hectares into structurally rich mixed stands. By thinning out the old stands, selectively planting climate-resilient tree species and using natural rejuvenation, structurally rich new tree layers are being established under the protection of a sparse pine canopy. 

The newly introduced site-appropriate tree species include red oak, sand birch, chestnut, English oak, lime, Douglas fir, and coastal fir.

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Waldklimastandard

In 2024, a range of coordinated measures was implemented across the project area to lay the foundation for long-term forest transformation. Targeted thinning operations helped open up previously dense pine stands, allowing more light and space for a diverse new forest generation to emerge.

Following these interventions, the areas were enriched with climate-resilient tree species suited to the site, including Douglas fir, sweet chestnut, red oak, grand fir, and small-leaved lime. In total, over 100,000 seedlings were planted and more than 400 kilograms of seed distributed.

To protect the young trees, selective wildlife fencing was installed, and hunting activities were intensified – both essential steps to ensure successful regeneration under reduced browsing pressure.

Forest adaption progresses

Following a site visit in March 2024, the project has now been successfully audited and certified by TÜV Nord Cert in accordance with the 'Waldklimastandard' (WKS). The validation report has been submitted and the credits have been distributed and are therefore available immediately.

The conversion of the areas was initiated in September 2023. The planned measures will be implemented over the next 30 years.

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Pine forest in the project area

Pina Earth's team visiting the project area

The forest owner

Habitat tree for the rare pug bat

Aerial view of the project area

Wendland

Umbau kieferndominierter Bestände in einen klimaresilienten Mischwald

Conversion of pine-dominated stands into a climate-resilient mixed forest

Wiebke Krenzel-Burkhardt

"With Pina Earth, we are seizing the opportunity to ambitiously drive forward forest conversion and think big."

In the Lake Kessel climate protection project, Pina Earth is converting 93 hectares of pine monoculture forest in Brandenburg over the project period of 30 years into a near-natural, biodiverse mixed forest. 

Project activities such as the promotion of natural rejuvenation, the introduction of new species, mixture regulation and adapted game management make the forest more resistant to the consequences of climate change such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

Pina Kesselsee ohne Outlier

As part of planned silvicultural measures, thinning operations were carried out in the designated stands to improve light availability at the forest floor and to create optimal conditions for natural regeneration.

This intervention enables the promotion of natural regeneration and supports the preservation of mixed tree species. In addition, individual planting of climate-adapted species such as Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and grand fir (Abies grandis) was conducted to enhance tree species diversity and increase the resilience of the future stand to climate change.

Thinning and Enrichment Planting

Many companies are supporting the Lake Kessel project. STRATO GmbH is particularly noteworthy.

Support for the Lake Kessel project

Following a site visit in summer 2023, the project has now been successfully audited and certified by TÜV Nord Cert in accordance with ISO 14064-2. The validation report has been submitted and the credits have been distributed and are therefore available immediately.

The conversion of the areas was initiated in the second half of 2023. The project period extends over 30 years from the start of the project.

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The project objective is to establish several layers in the forest that make the stands as a whole more resilient to climate-related risks. In the gaps where there is plenty of light, oaks establish alongside conifers.

The coniferous forest in Kessel Lake originates from planting and at the beginning of the project, it was primarily made up of pine trees with relatively uniform tree heights and diameters.

Oak is one of the tree species that will characterize the future forest state. Oaks are already rejuvenating naturally on the site and must now be protected from game browsing and competing vegetation.

The employees at Pina Earth supervise the climate protection projects from the beginning and also get a hands-on experience.

Near the project area lies the small forest lake Kessel, after which the climate protection project is named.

Various structural elements such as clearings and hedgerows create a favorable microclimate, contributing to high ecological diversity.

Kesselsee

Umbau von Kiefernwald zu biodiversem Mischwald

Lake Kessel

Conversion from pine monoculture to biodiverse mixed forest

Thomas Schulz

“Pina has applied their concept perfectly to the local conditions of the forest.”

In the Luckaitztal project, Pina Earth is converting 632 hectares of pine monoculture in Brandenburg into a near-natural, biodiverse mixed forest over a project period of 30 years. 

Activities such as promoting natural rejuvenation, planting new species and other activities listed on the right make the forest more resilient to the consequences of climate change such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

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Additional maintenance measures were carried out in 2023. The natural regeneration is proceeding according to plan; the picture shows the natural regeneration of the Douglas fir.

Project Update

More than a year after the start of the project, the first significant project progress can be seen in the areas. There is already significantly more light reaching the forest floor, and the first natural rejuvenation has established itself. A new story of young trees can grow while still being protected by the trees above.

Site visit by Pina Earth

After the site visit in the summer of 2022, the project has now been successfully audited by TÜV Nord Cert according to ISO 14064-2, making it the world's first certified forest adaption climate protection project. A huge milestone!

With the beginning of the year, the forest adaptation project was initiated. Throughout the year, the focus is mainly on reducing stock by harvesting trees to create light and space for new young trees. In addition, wildlife management is being adjusted to provide more opportunities for natural regeneration.

Project start

In the summer of 2021, terrestrial data on individual trees and airborne multispectral images and LiDAR data were collected from an ultralight aircraft. 

Pina Earth used this data to create a digital twin of the forest, which formed the basis for the project.

Data gathering conducted

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 Left: Pure pine stand (middle age class), Right: Mixed stand with pine, birch, oak, beech, spruce, douglas fir.

A new layer is emerging here! The upper layer consists of pine with birch, underneath natural regeneration establishes itself as a heterogeneous mixed stand with beech, ash and various conifers.

Qualified foresters implement the planned measures according to the principles of a near-natural silvicultural management.

Under a light umbrella of pines grow various tree species such as spruce, beech, ash and Douglas fir.

These even-aged stands with no accompanying tree species are vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as storms, heat stress, and beetle infestations.

The coniferous forest in Luckaitz Valley was primarily made up of 88% pine trees and has relatively uniform tree heights and diameters.

Luckaitztal

Umbau von Kiefermonokultur zu biodiversem Mischwald

Luckaitz Valley

Transforming a uniform pine forest into a near-natural biodiverse forest

Maximilian von Rotenhan

‘I have come to know Pina as a very fact-based and serious company that focuses on the meaningfulness of its project. For us, the Luckaitztal project is an opportunity to transform a monoculture into a mixed forest and thus counteract climate change.’

The Schlegel project is converting 471 hectares of spruce monoculture in Thuringia into a future-proof mixed forest over a project period of 30 years. 

Project activities such as the promotion of natural regeneration, the planting of new species and other activities listed on the right make the forest more resilient to the consequences of climate change such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

pina-thueringen-schlegel

Many companies are supporting the Schlegel project. One of them is the social business Polarstern. Since 2023, Polarstern has been supporting the conversion of more than 35,000 m² of forest 

Partner support for the project

By the end of 2023, 3,000 Douglas firs and silver firs had been planted on the project area. The measure serves as a useful supplement to the ongoing natural regeneration.

After a site visit in the summer of 2022, the project has now been successfully audited by TÜV Nord Cert according to ISO 14064-2, making it the second certified forest adaption climate protection project in the world.

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At the beginning of the project, some of the stands showed large gaps and calamity areas. Here, mixed natural rejuvenation with spruce, beech, and ash has already been established.

The initial state in the project area were pure spruce stands without a regeneration layer. These stands are specifically endangered due to climate change.

A new forest layer in the making: beech and spruce with a heterogeneous age and diameter structure stand under a patchy age-class spruce stand.

A natural regeneration with beech is established.

In the Schlegel forest adaptation project, 471 hectares of spruce monoculture forests are being converted into nea-natural and climate-resilient mixed forests.

View of the closed upper layer: With predominantly spruce at the beginning of the project, individually intermixed with deciduous trees, the conversion to a biodiverse and climate-resilient mixed forest is targeted during the project runtime.

Schlegel

Umbau von Fichtenmonokultur zu biodiversem Mischwald

Conversion from spruce monoculture to biodiverse mixed forest

"With Pina Earth, concepts are being created that are designed for the long term and bring about effective change in relation to climate change. For us, the Schlegel project specifically represents the opportunity to transform a monoculture into a mixed forest and thus counteract climate change."

The Lindorf project is converting over 318 hectares of largely single-layer spruce forest in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg into a structurally diverse mixed forest over a project period of 30 years.

Project activities such as the promotion of natural rejuvenation and seeding of new, site-adapted tree species, make the forest more resistant to the increasingly frequent consequences of climate change, such as storms, drought and beetle infestation.

Forest Project Portfolio

Altmark

Marienthal

Gudow Mill

Wendland

Lake Kessel

Luckaitz Valley

Schlegel

Lindorf

Herzfelde

Rosenau

Grunewald

Benfe

Deselaers

Schoneiche