Paper Short Abstract:

Which imaginaries of a forest do founders of reforestation initiatives in Germany hold and promote? Elucidating these imaginaries serves to understand the ecological state and the human-forest interrelations activists strive for, while sensitizing for potentially problematic dimensions involved.

Paper Abstract:

What drives individuals to create new organizations dedicated to reforestation? And which imaginaries of a forest do they hold and promote through these their „own“ initiatives? The commitment to active reforestation has experienced a significant upswing in Germany in recent years: In light of increasing forest damages related to climate change, numerous volunteers engage in one-time or repeated activities, often with the specific aim of planting young trees themselves. Moreover, new organizations have emerged and gained visibility, underlining the potential for mobilization. Given the longer-established, large organizations already active in the field, the question arises as to the motivation and context in which individuals decide to found yet another initiative as well as to the imaginaries they hold. Three commonalities appear to be decisive: (1) The period of founding the respective initiative correlated with periods of biographical upheaval, resulting in a mental and normative reorientation of life plans. (2) A fundamental concern and fears about the condition of the forest and/or the consequences of climate change. (3) The influence of (print) media, social movements and well-known individual activists and „forest experts“ with high credibility. Since their role as founders positions them in an influential social position with radiant power over those mobilized, grasping their imaginaries of the forests they promote provides us with a glance on current visions not only on forests, but also on human-forest interrelations.