The Natural Forest Academy

The Natural Forest Academy was founded in 2016 and is an independent research institute. The Academy carries out research and publishes Best Practice. Some research projects we do on our own, some projects we do in collaboration with other institutions and universities. Through our research, we want to raise questions and provide answers around the ecological, climatic and social importance of natural forests. Our work´s aim is also to show the good impact of close-to-nature forest management.

Our core competencies to date are in depth analyses of the German and Central European Forest with a strong focus on ecology. We analyzed different forest ecosystems in Germany and discovered which ones are endangered and where the last remnants are located which need to be put under protection. In our recent study for example we found that about 50 percent of the German forest is far from natural. We found that old trees in Germany are an endangered species. And we found that our forests on average are far too young for a natural ecosystem.

Our second area of expertise is the calculation of potential CO2 storage of forests in Germany and Europe in the next 30 years.

The Natural Forest Academy does classic scientific research but the results are not only presented to the science community – as is usual. We translate our results into easy to understand German for the layman – without complicated forestry or science lingo. With our staff for press and public relations we take care, that our research gets public and reaches a broad audience to fuel the public debate on what kind of forestry we need for the climate, the people and our wildlife.

The Naturwald Academy team

Pamela Scholz, Managing Director

Giving the forest a voice: that is my goal. My admiration and respect for creation is my motivation to stand up for the forest. As Managing Director of the Naturwald Akademie, I promote research and knowledge transfer so that more natural forests are created in Germany and forests are used in a way that is close to nature.

My career: Studied politics, Axel Springer School of Journalism and editor of the Berliner Morgenpost, press spokeswoman for „Verhüllter Reichstag“, board member of the children’s aid organisation Dritte Welt e.V.

Dr Torsten Welle, Head of Science and Research

My aim is to learn from the forest in order to work for the forest. Many processes in the forest ecosystem are not yet understood. My aim is to better understand the forest and its role in the human-environment relationship and to emphasise its outstanding importance for life on earth. Natural forests play an important role in this, as they develop without anthropogenic influences.

My background: Geography studies and doctorate in Bonn. Deputy Head of Department at the United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). Head of the Research Group: Risk, Vulnerability and Resilience at the Institute for Spatial Planning and Development Planning at the University of Stuttgart.

Matthias Fischer, Head of Communication

In the interests of intergenerational justice, we must act now to ensure that nature is preserved for future generations. Without an intact environment, including large, adaptable forests, we will have no future.

My background: Studied anthropology, specialising in molecular biology and the indigenous peoples of Siberia. Businessman in the photo retail trade and trained as a PR consultant. Subsequently worked for many years as a communications consultant or manager for organisations, associations, foundations and companies. As a certified nature and landscape guide (BANU), he accompanies people as they experience nature.

Eva Blaise, Research Associate (currently on parental leave)

The most important finding of my research is that people who are committed to forests – whether professionally or on a voluntary basis – generally only want the best for them. However, this common ground usually remains hidden from them. This is because their ideas of what is „best“ are very different. I would like to help bring different perspectives into dialogue with each other. As a society, we need to develop a shared vision of how we can deal with forests in a truly sustainable way.

Yvonne Bohr, Research Associate

Through practical research on natural forests, I would like to move away from a one-dimensional view of the forest. My work therefore aims to familiarise people with the complexity of our forests, especially from an ecosystem and functional perspective. My vision is to ensure that these diverse dimensions are taken into account in every decision concerning the forest.

My background: Biologist and ecologist by passion – studied biology in Hamburg, worked on various projects on species conservation and biodiversity, doctorate in Frankfurt am Main, research stays in Indonesia and Madagascar, involved in voluntary nature conservation and refugee aid.

Signe Heins, Research Associate

Forests have always been important to us humans. However, their condition is alarmingly poor. We urgently need a different approach to our forests. I am interested in the conditions under which such a social change occurs and what prerequisites are needed for progressive actors to be successful with their ideas.

My background: Studied political science in Hamburg and Coimbra, Portugal. Short stint in environmental planning. Master’s degree in Global Change Management at the HNE in Eberswalde. Educational work, project management in neighbourhood work. Locally involved in the „Edible City“ and a youth campsite.

Carsten Hess, Research Associate

I would like to make a contribution to shaping and maintaining the forest ecosystem from the perspective of sustainable use that is orientated towards the common good, and to networking it across regions. As a research assistant, my current focus is on the practical application of terrestrial laser scanning in forest monitoring.

My background: I studied environmental sciences at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg. Specialising in environmental informatics, I am particularly interested in techniques and methods of computer-based information technologies and their practical application in nature and environmental protection.

Ronja Hoßbach, Research Associate

As an environmental scientist, it is particularly important to me to advocate a sustainable approach to our ecosystems so that they can be preserved as the basis of life for animals and humans in the long term. I want to address conflicts that arise between the social use of the environment and the protection of nature and make them visible in order to work on joint solutions and visions for a future worth living.

My background: I studied conservation biology, political science and environmental sciences in Landau in der Pfalz and in Freiburg im Breisgau. Research on human-wildlife conflicts at the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg.

Dr Stefan Kreft, Research Associate

I want to show what forests are, if you let them: unique complex ecosystems, built by species together. Seemingly always the same, but always on the way to even better ecological solutions. They can do this better than we humans. That’s why we need natural forests as our green home – for our well-being, today and in the future.

My background: Biology studies in Tübingen and Hamburg, doctorate in Münster. Consultancy on participatory, adaptive forest ecosystem management in South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Science-based policy advice with the Society for Conservation Biology. Forest-related research and teaching at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development.

Loretta Leinen, Research Associate

I would like to use a scientific basis to open up and sharpen society’s view of the forest. In networked contexts, every living being is in some way dependent on every other living being in this network. My aim is therefore to raise everyone’s awareness of the fact that all our actions make a difference.

My background: Studied forest science and forest ecology, specialising in forest conservation in Göttingen, research assistant, gardener, honorary lecturer, federal volunteer.

Mona Mittelstein, Project Administration and Funding Management Officer

I want my work to make a difference and help make this world the best it can be. There are few things that have such a massive and global impact on the future as the climate and its changes. The forest, with the right treatment or no treatment, can be a decisive factor in stopping climate change.

My background: Medical Engineering at the University of Lübeck, Master’s degree in Management for Cultural and Non-Profit Organisations at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern.

Lennart Stein, volunteer in the FJN (Voluntary Year in Science, Technology and Sustainability)

I am very interested in the topics of sustainability, the environment and climate protection. Due to my closeness to nature, I have often been involved with the Lübeck forest. The aim of my FJN year is also to bring people closer to the forest and to appreciate it. The forest makes a major contribution to climate protection. Let’s help it do that!

I graduated from the Geschwister Prenski School in Lübeck in 2023.

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