STRAUSS PROTECTS 1,000 ANCIENT TREES
STRAUSS is committed to forest and biodiversity conservation in partnership with Bundesforst. As part of a pilot project at the Schwarzenborn Federal Forest District in northern Hesse, the family-owned company protects 1,000 beech and oak trees that are more than 100 years old as wildlife habitats and carbon stores. The STRAUSS Forest covers an area of 250 hectares.
“Projects such as this one with Bundesforst broaden our perspective and focus our attention on what matters most: sustainability is growth. This should increasingly be reflected in our products in the future,” says Henning Strauss, who leads the company together with his brother Steffen
A dedicated part of the protected area is to develop into a natural forest reserve without forestry intervention. Over the long term, the managed forest will therefore be allowed to develop into near-natural wilderness. The wood from the ancient trees will remain in the forest, where it will provide habitat and nutrients for rare species.
The management plan for the remainder of the STRAUSS Forest provides for harvested timber to be marketed exclusively within the region. Wild animals harvested in the area will also remain in the region. A special feature of the project is that the trees have been digitally mapped, allowing visitors to navigate directly to individual ancient trees using GPS.
Christoph Goebel, Head of the Schwarzenborn Federal Forest District, welcomes the initiative: “Forests are increasingly entering public awareness. The partnership between Bundesforst and STRAUSS comes at exactly the right time for the forest. Especially in times of climate change, protecting old forests is of paramount importance. Strauss is setting an example and demonstrating that environmental protection succeeds when it reaches people—both intellectually and emotionally.”
STRAUSS sees the forest conservation project as an important part of a cultural transformation that has been underway within the company for some time. Business processes are being progressively adapted in the interest of sustainability—from the supply chain and product packaging to resource conservation.
“The project with Bundesforst is just one example of our commitment, which we intend to expand further in the future,” adds Steffen Strauss. One of the key tasks for the years ahead, he says, is to bring ecological, economic and social considerations together. “This requires shared values and a clear vision.”
“STRAUSS and Bundesforst share a long-standing relationship. Many foresters have worn the Strauss logo for decades. Forests are also a symbol of sustainable business. For us as a family business, this is the perfect partnership.”
Henning Strauss
