The Steinmühle now has its own forest—the Hollywood

The Steinmühle now boasts yet another ecosystem: As part of an impressive planting campaign, a mini-forest was created in May. The planting process, based on the Miyawaki method, was truly extraordinary—after all, 1,200 different native deciduous trees and shrubs were planted in an area of just 150 square meters. The project was initiated by Bernd Holly, who is leaving the forest to the school as a farewell gift before retiring after a long career.
Over the course of two days, about 50 dedicated volunteers worked together to make the vision of a thriving forest a reality. They planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including oaks, chestnut trees, hornbeams, and elderberries. The selection of these species is intended to ensure that the emerging forest offers a rich ecological diversity comparable to that of native forest areas.
During the two days of the planting campaign, the student and teacher volunteers were able to experience the school’s sense of community firsthand. In addition to planting, there was time for pleasant conversations over shandy, cake, and pizza.
The planting campaign was a complete success and not only leaves a lasting ecological legacy but also strengthens awareness of environmental protection at the school and in the surrounding community. The Miyawaki forest will continue to grow in the coming years, providing the school community with a green oasis and a place to remember their longtime principal. The small forest is already affectionately known as “Hollywood.”