Tree planting challenge: DLRG plans for the environment in Miltitz!

Tree planting challenge: DLRG plans for the environment in Miltitz!

The fire brigade Meißen has given the DLRG Niederes Elbe valley the task of planting a tree as part of the latest tree planting challenge. This campaign takes place in a special environment, because the DLRG's use of the youth use of the youth deployment team (JET) was carried out on Wednesday evening in the Jahnbad Miltitz. An approximately six meter high field maple was planted in the course of a nomination that came as a surprise after the torchlight swimming on the wine festival Sunday, as Louis Krause from DLRG reports. This nomination by the Meißen volunteer fire brigade is part of a greater movement that has gained popularity in fire brigade circles.

The tree planting challenge is a growing initiative in Germany, in which firefighters plant trees and at the same time combine climate protection with community sense. After a fire brigade has planted a tree, she nominates the next fire brigade to participate. This challenge is spread through social media and is reaching more and more fire departments nationwide. During the campaign, the nominated fire departments often have a period of seven days, sometimes even only 48 hours to plant their tree. Andernfalls droht ein Grillabend als „Strafe“ für die nominierende Feuerwehr, was einen humorvollen, aber auch ernsthaften Kern der Challenge darstellt, wie feuerwehrmagazin.de erläutert.

Distribution and motivation of the challenge

Some fire brigades, like those in Schwarzenberg, have already caused a sensation by planting several trees. The challenge has now spread across almost all federal states, including Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. Many of the approximately 80 fire departments have successfully implemented their tree planting campaigns in the Traunstein district. The rules differ regionally, so there are regional different deadlines and opportunities for “punishments” for non-compliance.

The motives behind the challenge are as diverse as the participating fire departments. In addition to the commitment to climate protection, the comradely and playful aspect is also in the foreground. Firefighters use the platform to show their commitment to the environment and to promote cohesion within the community. Again and again there are documented planting actions in the form of videos on social media that underline the fun and sense of community. This combination of seriousness with a playful element makes the challenge a unique action that is well received throughout Germany, as Saechsische.de.