Bottrop's 'Class Forest' Grows as 1,400 Kids Plant 2,200 Trees
Over 1,400 fourth-grade pupils from 24 Bottrop schools took part in this year's 'Class Forest' project. The children planted around 2,200 trees over three days at a new site along Alten Postweg. The initiative, running since 1999, aims to connect young students with nature through hands-on learning. The project begins in first grade, when pupils visit the Forest Education Center to plant saplings and explore local plants and animals. As they progress through school, themed guided tours build on this knowledge. By fourth grade, they return to plant their own trees in the Class Forest.
More than 80 volunteers assisted the young planters during this year's event. District Mayor Hendrik Dierichs highlighted the project's role in giving children direct experience of nature. Since its launch, the initiative has seen roughly 225,000 saplings planted across Bottrop.
The latest planting expands the Class Forest further along Alten Postweg. The project continues to involve every fourth-grade pupil in Bottrop, reinforcing environmental awareness from an early age. With ongoing support from volunteers and educators, the initiative remains a key part of local school life.
