Pliezhausen, 10. December 2024 – The first major stage of the DATAGROUP FOREST reforestation project has been successfully completed. Employees, customers and partners of the company participated with great commitment to enable trees for the forest of the future. With the subsequent planting campaigns, employees jointly laid the foundation for the climate-resistant mixed forest on a damaged area in the Black Forest.

The initiative for the DATAGROUP FOREST was launched in fall 2023 on the occasion of the company’s 40th anniversary and aims to create a new, climate-resistant forest for future generations through joint commitment. In cooperation with ForstBW, DATAGROUP’s IT customer, a heavily damaged area in the Black Forest was to be revitalized. With a special idea: Throughout the anniversary year, DATAGROUP employees as well as customers and partners were able to collect points for the project via the website forest.datagroup.de through social, sporting, ecological and cultural activities as well as commitment to education. These unique efforts were then translated into trees. The original target of 40,000 points = 4,000 trees was already exceeded in June, and a total of 5,675 trees were collected, demonstrating the unique and diverse commitment of all those involved.

“The efforts of all the people involved have exceeded all expectations. The DATAGROUP FOREST is a wonderful example of what is possible when many people work towards a common goal. With the Forest of the Future, we have created a project that will have an impact beyond the anniversary year,” emphasizes DATAGROUP board member Dr. Sabine Laukemann. ForstBW also sees the project as a significant contribution to the protection of forests: “We are not just planting trees today, we are laying the foundation for a stable, resilient forest of the future,” says Max Reger, Chairman of the Board of ForstBW.

Collective planting activities in the Black Forest

The location chosen for the DATAGROUP FOREST was the Hirschkopf district in the Central Black Forest. This area had previously suffered considerable damage due to storms, game, snow breakage and fungal infestation. The area was prepared and planted with several work assignments. On October 17, 2024, the DATAGROUP trainees worked hard to prepare the area for planting as part of the Trainee Days. They removed stones and branches and set up protective structures for the seedlings. The “Talent Community”, consisting of managers, then planted the first trees on October 30, 2024. This work was continued on November 8 by dedicated employees from the surrounding DATAGROUP locations and on November 13, the company’s top management finally planted the last seedlings of the first phase in the ground. This year, an initial 4,000 trees were planted.

Sustainable investment for a stable forest

The planting activities are the start of a long-term commitment. If necessary, replanting will take place in fall 2025: The remaining 1,675 trees of the planting contingent will be used to replace failed seedlings. In the coming years, DATAGROUP and ForstBW will jointly carry out maintenance measures to support the forest in its development into a stable and resilient ecosystem. ForstBW guarantees professional care and DATAGROUP offers financial and personnel support. With DATAGROUP FOREST, DATAGROUP is sending a clear signal for environmental responsibility and sustainability – a contribution to the environment that will endure in the state forest of Baden-Württemberg in the long term.

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