WE'RE PLANTING TREES

We're saving the forests and rebuilding it!

NOT ONLY STREETS AND BUILDINGS NEED TO BE REBUILT PERIODICALLY. EVEN OURS FORESTS REQUIRE RENOVATION! FRAGILE FORESTS NEED STRONG TREES IN ORDER TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO RESILIENT MIXED WOODLANDS.

WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO REFORESTATION WITH OUR „PLANT-A-TREE-CAMPAIGN“

For years, we have observed our weather becoming more and more extreme. Periods of hot temperatures and severe weather are increasing. The effects of climate change are negatively impacting our woodlands; the outlook is particularly grim for spruce forests. Because their roots are shallow, spruces rely on consistent rainfall and can experience significant damage in strong storms. Climate change has the potential to cause more degradation to our forests in the future.

In 2019 we started planting trees near the Bavarian Spitzingsee.

Fast-growing spruces are the most important trees for reforestation. In order for the forests to survive, they must be replenished. We can transform our fragile coniferous forests into resilient mixed woodlands, consisting of 30% broad-leafed trees or firs. This process will take several decades, so we must start today.

Every 25th Banff Tour Ticket = 1 tree

ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS VAUDE AND THE GERMAN ALPINE CLUB, WE WANT TO HELP PREPARE OUR FORESTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE. THEREFORE, WE WILL PLANT ONE TREE FOR EVERY 25TH VISITOR OF THE BANFF TOUR 2022.

Why we should protect our forests:

10,000 square metres of forest...

filter up to 50 tons of soot and dust from the air

release up to 30 tons of oxygen per year

store about 10 tons of CO2 per year

can produce up to 160,000 cubic metres of new groundwater in its lifespan

Thank you to all Banff Tour visitors for your support!

10 Tips to Protect Trees and Conserve Forests:

1. Use wood and paper products sparingly

The best and easiest way to preserve forests is to reduce your use of wood and paper products. Wood is a renewable resource, but its availability is limited. Think before you print!

2. Use recycled paper

Using recycled paper can contribute to reducing or preventing deforestation. One in every five trees cut down in the world ends up in paper production. We use almost 250 kg of paper per capita per year.

3. Look for environmental certifications

Organizations promoting environmentally conscious products and services grant certifications and seals of approval that are subject to stringent environmental standards. For example, the "Blue Angel" ecolabel on paper products signifies 100% recycled materials, no harmful chemicals, and high quality standards. The FSC® and PEFC™ seals promote responsible and sustainable forest management by identifying wood products, such as printing paper or packaging material, that have been produced using high environmental standards in raw material production.

4. Buy eco-friendly products and foods

In order to protect rainforests and conserve resources, it is advisable to buy local and regional food and, when purchasing internationally traded products, ensure they are fair trade and organic.

5. Eat less meat

The rising global demand for soy, the largest source of animal feed, has led to the clear-cutting of rainforests to make room for growing and cultivating soya.

6. Avoid products containing palm oil

Palm oil plantations continue to contribute to widespread deforestation.

7. Become a forest advocate

Support local forestry organizations or projects through sponsorships, volunteer work, or tree donations.

8. Talk about your commitment

Whether among friends or family or during coffee with colleagues, talk about your commitment to environmental conservation. This can promote understanding, interest, and participation and may even lead to a collaborative team event.

9. Offset or compensate for your CO2 consumption

Whenever possible, keep your car parked in the garage and take your bike. If you must use air travel, choose an eco-conscious airline—for example, Lufthansa enables passengers a couple of options to compensate for the CO2 emissions caused by their flight. Other approaches for offsetting your carbon footprint include planting a tree, contributing to the development of renewable and sustainable energy sources, or replacing household kerosene use with CO2-neutral fuels.

10. Use a search engine with an ecological approach

Ecosia is a search engine based in Berlin, Germany, that donates 80% of its profits to nonprofit organizations that focus on reforestation. Through ad revenue, this ecological search engine uses your clicks as currency. Each time you search via www.ecosia.org, you are helping to plant trees where they are needed most.