Getting her own forestry district in the Lüneburg Heath is a stroke of luck for Martina Cordes—but also a huge challenge. The sandy soils, severe water shortage, and storm damage make managing the North German forest a tough task. Fortunately, the bark beetle is not yet a major threat, and the trees are in good condition. Martina’s goal is to shape her forest into one that is strong and resilient against climate change—moving away from monocultures of coniferous trees and profit-driven forestry, which has dominated Germany’s forests for decades. However, as a forester, she is not entirely free from the conditions and restrictions that come with managing her land.

“NZZ Format” follows the first four months of forester Martina Cordes in her North German district. What may seem like idyllic walks through the forest is, in reality, hard work. Little is left to nature alone, as Martina focuses on biodiversity and climate resilience to secure the future of the forest.