Planting trees for the future - Unity Digs
B2C-Newsletter | One-third of the land area of Germany, approx. 11.4 million hectares are covered with forest. Due to the dry seasons in 2018, 2019, and 2020, the trees are suffering, which can be seen in the dropping of the leaves, and also in the attacks of insects, the bark beetle has been able to multiply strongly. Since 2019, the forestry offices have been observing an increased death of trees. In 2019, the state of Schleswig-Holstein initiated a campaign to establish a new tradition on the Day of German Unity on the 3rd of October, called Einheitsbuddeln. It stands for a nationwide tree-planting campaign. Each year the host state is a different federal state, in 2020 it is Brandenburg.
The success in 2019 was overwhelming. More than 125,000 trees were planted, almost 300,000 euros in donations were collected and almost 2,000 planting campaigns were organized throughout Germany. In 2020, some of our Green Pearls® Partners will also take part in the campaign.
What our Green Pearls® hotels want:
The protection of our native forests is absolutely necessary. In our country, the forest also has a protective function for the valley, as it protects the settlements from falling avalanches, for example. A very important aspect is the formation of humus because fallow land means that humus is missing and CO2 escapes into the atmosphere. Therefore we are committed to the fields with positerra and therefore we are also committed to the forests. Here in the mountains, we are already affected by climate change and therefore we use mainly the resistant lark to create a new and healthy mountain forest.
Already in 2019, we were happy to be part of the campaign #einheitsbuddeln. What is more sustainable than planting trees? Not only does that fit perfectly to the philosophy of SAND, but it's also a lot of fun. We can only call for the participation of as many companies as possible, but also private persons in this beautiful tradition. United for the environment!
Einheitsbuddeln started as a good idea last year. It gives us a better feeling than reforestations somewhere in the world, like climate certificates. If we plant a tree here, we have control over its growth. This year we will plant two trees, a deciduous tree for the climate and a fruit tree, from which the insects will also benefit. Not everything has gone well between East and West in the process of unity. This action unites Germany and strengthens the idea of unity.
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The green pearls worldwide are committed to greater environmental protection and the fight against climate change every day
In 2019, the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA started to create high beds, from which the hotel's kitchen makes extensive use. In total there are 4 raised beds, distributed on the panoramic terraces, filled with organic humus/compost, with organic plants or seeds in organic and Demeter quality. All herbs are used fresh for the kitchen and bar. This year for the first time radishes, peas, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchini, pumpkin, melons, kohlrabi, pepperoni, salads, and spring onions could be picked.
The Biohotel Sturm also relies entirely on organic in its 3-hectare snack garden, which supplies the kitchen with organic products. The herb and snack garden is also an inspiration for guests to imitate in small quantities and invites them to pick and taste for themselves. It was created by passionate herb and landscape gardeners with a natural bathing pond and log cabin sauna.
The Okelmann's in Warpe also relies on regional products in organic quality. All herbs and spices come from their own garden and the food is purchased seasonally and regionally from local producers, who the host family knows personally.
The Creativhotel Luise offers courses to bring people closer to the trees and their meaning. Shinrin-Yoku means immersion in the forest or also new-German Waldbaden. The name and origin come from Japan. As early as 1982, the Ministry of Forestry encouraged people to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the forest in their free time in order to reduce stress and live healthier. Many studies have proven that a stay in the greenery counteracts depression and burn-out and even lowers blood pressure and pulse rate. But what distinguishes immersing in the forest from a walk in the woods? It is the slowness and therefore also more attentiveness. The point is not to walk particularly much or for a long time or to have been to many places. On the contrary, Waldbaden means to let yourself drift, to switch off, and at the same time to look closely. Try it out. Click here for the offer.
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SUSTAINABLE COFFEE: THE STIMULANTS OF THE GREEN PEARLS® HOTELS
Coffee can be grown in about 80 countries around the world. If you pay attention to a few things, you can also enjoy sustainable coffee. The origin of the beans and certifications such as fair trade labels are things to look out for.
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CORONA MEASURES - VACATIONs BY FAR
With the increasing number of tourists worldwide, reliable hygiene and safety measures are becoming increasingly important. The Green Pearls® Partners, as hotels that operate in a sustainable manner, face these challenges in a very special way.
WORKSHOPS ON VACATION: MORE THAN JUST REST AND RELAXATION IN GREEN PEARLS® HOTELS
The Green Pearls® Hotels offer great activities and workshops where you can learn new skills while relaxing on vacation. The offer is varied and everyone is sure to find something to suit them.
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Our green pearls are scattered all over the world and can be found in many different places. This diversity is also noticeable in the construction methods of the hotels. We have taken a closer look at the hotel buildings and present here some architecturally special green pearls.
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At the age of 9 years, Felix Finkbeiner planted his first tree. He had just learned of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who had recently been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to plant 30 million trees in Africa. The young boy was very impressed by the message she gave - that trees are a powerful ally in fighting global warming.
Zero waste is one of the most significant lifestyle changes taking place in our 21st century, aiming to fight the human impact on our planet through reducing consumption, minimizing waste, and maximizing recycling. Find a sustainability expert's guide to zero-waste travel here.