An exchange that takes root

From the forests of Togo to the German forests

The journey began with a direct leap into the German forest. Mighty beeches stretch their branches into the sky, young Douglas firs sprout from the ground, and a carpet of moss and leaves muffles every step. Namati immediately became part of the action. With experienced foresters at his side, he learned how to create skid trails and select trees to create space and light for the stand. After just a few days, Namati knew many of our native tree species by their Latin names. Only a small number of the large number of tree species in Togo that Namati usually has to deal with.

In the Douglas fir plantation, Namati applied an anti-biting agent - a sprayable liquid based on sheep's milk. Protecting against browsing by wild animals was an exciting new experience for Namati in the forestry sector, as this problem does not occur in his native Togo. The close cooperation between forestry and hunting was also an interesting new perspective for him.

Using a brush cutter, he took over the maintenance of young stands to ensure the unhindered growth of the young trees. The program even included the removal of a fallen tree. Namati gained valuable insights into traffic safety - from the technical execution to the necessary teamwork behind such tasks.

One particular highlight was the tree felling safety training. The focus here was on precision, control and experience. The processes demonstrated made it clear how important it is both to ensure the safety of the workers and to minimize the impact on nature.

Another highlight was taking part in a planting campaign in the Ahrweiler Forest. With great enthusiasm, he worked side by side with volunteers and helped to put new seedlings in the ground - a symbol of the future viability of the forests.

Tree nurseries and botanical gardens: How trees get their start

The trip also took Namati to places where trees take their first steps. In a biodynamic tree nursery in Darmstadt, he saw how seedlings are raised. The head of the nursery immersed him in the world of tree nurseries in our climates. Tree nursery is one of Namati's specialties in Togo, but here he was able to gain many new experiences and although the work in Germany and in Togo is so different, this visit gave him some ideas that he would like to try out in our tree nursery in Togo.

Culture and nature in harmony

Away from the forests, Namati discovered the many facets of life in Germany. At Lake Laach, he felt the quiet power of nature, while the historic monastery impressed him with its simplicity.

The St. Martin's procession in Schalkenbach brought him into the midst of a luminous tradition. Children with lanterns, a fire burning in the darkness and the stories in the air immersed him in German culture.

At the Schirmau forest estate with our colleague Tobias, in the Eifel region, Namati enjoyed helping with all the farming activities. He helped with feeding the animals, dismantling the mobile fences from the summer pasture and even tasks such as mucking out the goat shed. He was particularly interested in the topics of fodder conservation and mobile fences for grazing. A hike in the Alps brought him back to nature - this time at lofty heights. The vastness, the clear air and the rugged beauty of the mountains formed a stark contrast to the dense forests he had previously explored. The alleyways of Wasserburg and a walk along the river also fitted seamlessly into the trip and showed just how diverse Germany is. And of course, a tour of Cologne city center was not to be missed. In the last few days of his stay, Namati was also lucky enough to experience the first snow in his life.

Namati's trip is more than just a discovery tour. It is an exchange between two worlds that are different but share the same pulse when it comes to protecting nature. The experiences he took with him will provide new impetus back in Togo - be it in the forests he looks after or in the people who will hear his stories.

The trip shows: Sustainability knows no borders, and every contribution, whether in Togo or in Germany, counts.