Immerse in the forest, led by Mainz students - Sensory tours offered
In the heart of Germany, the serene Ober-Olmer Wald near Mainz is a tranquil haven that offers more than just a scenic escape. Ann-Kathrin Arnold, a student at the University of Mainz, is one of the individuals leading guided tours in this forest, aiming to educate visitors about the effects of climate change on forests.
During the tours, Arnold uses innovative demonstrations to engage participants. Two glasses containing forest honey and Siberian pine are among the tools she employs to illustrate her points. The sense of touch is also required for some demonstrations, encouraging visitors to connect with the forest on a deeper level.
The University of Mainz offers a unique programme for students, training them as Forest Future Coaches. These students spend a semester learning from foresters and researchers about the intricacies of forest management and the impacts of climate change. One of the highlights of this programme is the guided tours in the Ober-Olmer Wald, which serve as the conclusion of their studies.
The tours are designed to be immersive experiences, inviting participants to touch a tree and later find it with their eyes open. They also include stops to appreciate the sounds and smells of the forest, creating a sensory journey through the woods.
The Ober-Olmer Wald is home to a diverse array of animal species, including the threatened stag beetle and the critically endangered Bechstein's bat. Diversifying tree species in forests, such as the Ober-Olmer Wald, makes them more resilient, even against the challenges posed by climate change. Monocultures, like monotonous pine forests, are more susceptible to pests like bark beetles.
Each tree in the Ober-Olmer Wald is a unique individual, contributing to the forest's overall health and resilience. The forest also plays a crucial role in protecting humans from the sun when it's hot, providing a cool, relaxing environment for unwinding.
With the success of these student-led tours, further public tours with students from the University of Mainz are planned for next year. For those interested in learning more about the Forest Future Coaches program or similar initiatives, it would be best to contact the University of Mainz directly or explore their official website and publications.
During the guided tours in the Ober-Olmer Wald, Ann-Kathrin Arnold, a student at the University of Mainz, uses innovative methods to educate visitors about the impacts of climate change on forests and the environment. As part of the University's unique Forest Future Coaches program, Arnold and her peers spend a semester learning about the challenges of forest management and the impacts of climate change, preparing them to lead immersive tours in the woodland. The tours encourage participants to connect with the forest, not just visually but through touch, hearing, and smell, and highlight the importance of maintaining a diverse array of tree species in forests like the Ober-Olmer Wald to increase their resilience against climate change.
