Initiative for Collaborative Leadership Kickstarted
In a significant step towards flood, heavy rain, nature, and climate protection in the region, a new coordination center has been established. This project, spanning three years and boasting a total budget of approximately 268,500 euros, is a collaborative effort funded by LEADER regions Voreifel - Die Bäche der Swist and Zülpicher Börde, the Cologne Regional Government, the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the European Union.
The coordination center's primary role is to identify, plan, and oversee measures aimed at improving water retention in forests. By focusing on small, natural interventions such as permeable dams, adapted path structures, or natural retention basins, the project aims to make forests more resilient to drought, forest fires, and heat, while also mitigating heavy rainfall events.
The success of the project hinges on the collective efforts of all participating partners. These include forest owners, forestry cooperatives, government agencies, universities, and citizen initiatives. The coordination center will serve as a hub, bundling existing concepts and ideas, and initiating new measures.
The project operates across municipal, city, and county borders, underscoring its commitment to sustainable solutions for forest water retention across municipal borders. A healthy forest plays a key role in regional climate protection, not only through CO2 storage but also through cooling the surroundings, replenishing groundwater, and stabilizing the landscape water balance.
The goal of the project is clear: to retain water, strengthen forests, and protect the climate. The coordination center will connect various actors, fostering collaboration and ensuring that the region's forests remain a vital part of the local ecosystem for years to come. The participating municipalities and the Rhein-Sieg district contribute equally to the project's budget, covering the remaining 30% of the total budget.
This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. By working together, we can create a more resilient and sustainable future for our forests and our communities.
