Care was taken to keep the intervention in the existing ecosystem to a minimum. The gradual conversion of the grassland into forest allowed the fauna and flora to adapt to the new conditions. To enable the young plants to assert themselves against the aggressive grass of the pasture areas, they were maintained for two years and dead plants were replaced. Over a crediting period of twelve years, the project will bind approximately 2,000 tonnes of CO2.
As part of the project, two public information events were held for local citizens. One was for pupils of the local grammar school, which is already linked to Karlsruhe via a school exchange on the topics of reafforestation and the forest ecosystem. The second was for residents of the project area, in order to raise their awareness of the importance of successful reafforestation.
Even after the end of the project, the commitment will continue. The local government elected in May 2019 is employing workers to maintain the site. It will secure the land for the long term, and is in dialogue with the local population and citizens in other cantons concerning the positive lessons learned in the project. The project has thus transferred knowledge and practical experience as a basis for future reafforestation.