Viennese students plant the future: a new forest is being created in Aspern!

Viennese students plant the future: a new forest is being created in Aspern!

A special event took place in Vienna today. Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling, together with numerous school classes, launched an impressive forest planting campaign. As part of “Forest Active”, the Viennese students are sowing trees in the newly emerging forest in Aspern, on the corner of Groß-Enzersdorfer Straße and Saltenstraße. This campaign, which has been running since 1989, has established itself as a real highlight for the young generation and is being held for the 36th time this year. Over 1,000 students from 48 Viennese school classes are taking part - clear evidence of how important the topic of forests and nature conservation has now become.

The event, which began on November 5th and runs until November 12th, 2025, will take place over a total of six planting days. On the second day, Emmerling planted together with 25 students from 2D at Leopoldau Middle School and 18 students from 4C at Kindermanngasse Elementary School. The children's enthusiasm is clearly noticeable, after all, with every tree they plant, they learn about the immense importance of the forest for our climate and our quality of life. “Forest Active” not only promotes environmental awareness, but also a sense of community among the participants.

Sustainability in focus

The campaign is organized by WIENXTRA in collaboration with the City of Vienna's forestry department. The aim is to introduce the students to the topic of sustainability in a playful way. In similar events, such as the annual forest planting campaign at the Buchloe high school in the water protection area near Lindenberg, the importance of trees for people and animals is also emphasized. Here the students measure the distances in advance, mark the planting sites and dig holes - everything in order to plant the small trees correctly and accompany them on their way to a real forest. During this school activity, the students can also strengthen their teamwork skills and their ability to interact with nature and the environment and experience how much fun it is to work together outdoors.

Since “Wald Aktiv” began, over 21,000 students have done their part to transform Vienna’s outskirts into thriving forests. As a result, many of the planted areas are now grown, living ecosystems that not only beautify the urban space, but also actively contribute to improving the climate in the city.

Together for the future

The planting campaign is not only a lasting contribution to nature, but also strengthens the sense of unity within the classes and promotes teamwork. The Viennese students show impressively that they have a good knack for protecting the environment and actively shaping their living space. This initiative will not only be a green lung for the city, but also a valuable educational experience for the children. It is all the better to see that such projects receive such widespread support throughout Austria - and especially in Vienna.

How the campaign has grown over the years is particularly evident in the large number of schools and classes taking part. This year it will be exciting to watch how the newly planted trees develop and, in a few years, perhaps open the next chapter in the history of the Vienna Forest.