Behind us is another wonderful day smelling of forest soil, fresh air and… satisfaction. On Friday, 11 April, the forest in the Stare Jabłonki Forest District became our office, a meeting room and a place where we once again did something good. We swapped laptops for spades, coffee cups for baskets of seedlings, and instead of another email we sent out into the world… 2,500 young oak trees.
The air was crisp and we were motivated and excited. We started with a short briefing, after which we grabbed our tools, and cuttings and set off in our rows. No one looked at their watch. Each tree is a moment of concentration. You drive the shovel, push back the soil, place the roots and backfill. You repeat. And again. And again. Thousands of movements that at first glance seem simple. But when you do it with the idea that this oak tree could be standing here in 80 years, everything takes on a different meaning. With each tree planted, we felt more grateful – for being able to be part of the process, for having an impact, and for creating something sustainable together. For the environment. For us. For future generations.
When the last sapling had found its place, it was time to take a breather. We gathered around the campfire at Black Lake, where, amid the smell of smoke and the sounds of nature, we shared impressions, laughter and sausages off the stick. These moments – quiet, ordinary, real – are an integral part of FoRest Lords. It is in these moments that we feel most strongly that our project is not only about acting for nature but also about building community and nurturing relationships. :-)
The wonderful atmosphere, the work together, and the warm support of the foresters who, as always, watched over every step of the planting made this day memorable for a long time. Although it will be many years before these seedlings become a real forest, we already feel that we have done something worthwhile.
We want to thank the Stare Jabłonki Forest District, all participants in the planting and our customers who support the FoRest Lords – Together for Nature project by purchasing massage chairs. Thanks to all of you, our campaign is gaining strength. Every year we plant more… and feel more.