Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH is a company within the Kronospan organization, managing its forests in the state of Brandenburg since 2003. At that time, the state of Brandenburg sold a majority of its former military training areas, which were previously owned by the Brandenburgische Bodengesellschaft (BBG). A total area of 7.358,32 ha was acquired by Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH at the sites Wunsdorf (Moggelinsee forest), Juterbog (Heidehof forest), and Byhlen (Drei Grenzen forest).
The intention behind purchasing these forest properties was primarily the desire to draw attention to the natural treasures that can develop from this land ravaged by centuries of military use.
For Kronospan, as the world's leading manufacturer of wood-based materials, "wood"is not only an economically valuable commodity. The company is committed to the sustainable use of forests in harmony with nature. For this reason, Kronospan has committed itself to recognizing the FSC guidelines and to practicing sustainable forestry by these guidelines and principles. Some parts of the nature conservation and FFH areas are entirely excluded from forestry use, ensuring that wilderness can develop undistrubed and biodiversity is promoted. This makes a decisive contribution to the preservation of important habitats for a large number of species.
All living creatures live in a wide range of different ways in the forest. Nature conservation is not a luxury; it is an existential necessity. Kronospan is committed to protecting, developing, and preserving the last natural oases at great expense.
The management is supported in cultivating the forest areas and implementing the FSC® principles by an FSC® Management Officer, as well as by forest engineers and forest managers. Forestry and agricultural engineers are responsible for forestry management in the forest districts. They are supported by trained foresters in all operational tasks (young growth maintenance and clearing, fence construction, path maintenance, forest protection, natural regeneration, and planting of deciduous trees typical of the location).
The overall operation of the Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH is made up of three sites and is divided as follows:
| Möggelinsee | Drei Grenzen | Heidehof | Total area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| woodland | 3.671,12 ha | 1.772,85 ha | 1.437,19 ha | 6.881,16 ha |
| non woodland | 244,78 ha | 64,97 ha | 97,37 ha | 407,12 ha |
| other areas | 65,49 ha | 0,91 ha | 3,64 ha | 70,04 ha |
| total | 3.981,39 ha | 1.838,73 ha | 1.538,20 ha | 7.358,32 ha |
| company name | Wald- und Grundbesitz Gmbh |
| legal form | Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (limited liability corporation) |
| object of the company | Waldbewirtschaftung |
| managing director | Tino Hesse |
| company headquarter | Leopoldstaler Straße 195, 32839 Steinheim |
| phone | +4952389840 |
| fax | +495238984440 |
| office.sa@kronospan.de |
| Möggelinsee | Drei Grenzen | Heidehof | Total area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| woodland | 3.671,12 ha | 1.772,85 ha | 1.437,19 ha | 6.881,16 ha |
| non woodland | 244,78 ha | 64,97 ha | 97,37 ha | 407,12 ha |
| other areas | 65,49 ha | 0,91 ha | 3,64 ha | 70,04 ha |
| total | 3.981,39 ha | 1.838,73 ha | 1.538,20 ha | 7.358,32 ha |
The management is supported in cultivating the forest areas and implementing the FSC® principles by an FSC® Management Officer, as well as by forest engineers and forest managers. Forestry and agricultural engineers are responsible for forestry management in the forest districts. They are supported by trained foresters in all operational tasks (young growth maintenance and clearing, fence construction, path maintenance, forest protection, natural regeneration, and planting of deciduous trees typical of the location).
The overall operation of the Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH is made up of three sites and is divided as follows:
| company name | Wald- und Grundbesitz Gmbh |
| legal form | Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (limited liability corporation) |
| object of the company | Waldbewirtschaftung |
| managing director | Tino Hesse |
| company headquarter | Leopoldstaler Straße 195, 32839 Steinheim |
| phone | +4952389840 |
| fax | +495238984440 |
| office.sa@kronospan.de |
Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH's certifications
Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH operates an FSC® management system for the sustainable, economically viable, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible management of all forestry operations. Forestry operations are managed by the national standard, the German FSC® standard, version 3.1, effective as of November 1, 2024.
The globally applicable principles of the FSC® are implemented, continuously monitored, and strictly adhered to as a binding set of rules.
| Principle 1 | Comply with all applicable laws. |
|---|---|
| Principle 2 | Maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of workers. |
| Principle 3 | Uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples. |
| Principle 4 | Maintain or enhance the social and economic well-being of local communities. |
| Principle 5 | Manage their products and services in a way that maintains or improves their long-term economic viability, social benefits, and environmental benefits. |
| Principle 6 | Maintain, conserve, and/or restore the ecosystem services and environmental values of managed forests, and also avoid, repair, or mitigate negative environmental impacts. |
| Principle 7 | Establish a management plan that outlines their economic, environmental, and social policies and objectives. |
| Principle 8 | Demonstrate progress toward meeting these objectives. |
| Principle 9 | Maintain or improve high conservation values. |
| Principle 10 | Ensure that all management activities comply with FSC principles and criteria. |
All employees of Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH are required to familiarize themselves with the system and adhere to the established procedural organization. At the same time, employees are encouraged to contribute to the updating and improvement of the system by submitting suggestions for additions and improvements.
The forestry operations of Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH were certified for the first time on July 5, 2018. The certificate is valid for five years, with compliance with the principles being reviewed annually. In 2023, a recertification audit took place, where we were once again awarded a certificate valid for five years (valid until July 4, 2028). You can find the currently valid FSC® certificate FSC® certificate here.
Sustainable forest management in Germany is carried out in a manner that preserves biological diversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality, and the ability to fulfill essential ecological, economic, and social functions at the local and national levels, both now and in the future, without causing damage to other ecosystems (definition by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe). Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH has been committed to this management concept with all its forestry operations since 2003.
The PEFC forest standard is based on the six criteria derived from the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (Helsinki, 1993). These individual requirements of the PEFC forest standard are listed below.
Introduction/Scope
- Legal and other requirements
- Forest resources
- Forest health and vitality
- Production function of forests
- Biological diversity in forest ecosystems
- Protective functions (regulating ecosystem services) of forests
- Socio-economic functions of forests
On July 6, 2020, Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH made a voluntary commitment to comply with PEFC standards for all three forestry operations. This was confirmed on June 22, 2021, with the award of the certificate, which is valid until May 18, 2026. The currently valid PEFC certificate can be found here.
Here we would like to introduce you to the three forestry operations of Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH. These unique, historic landscapes have been transformed from military training grounds into refuges for numerous animal and plant species and forward-looking locations for forestry. We would like to show you how former restricted areas that were used intensively for military purposes have been transformed through persistent effort and dedication into recreational areas for the surrounding communities, home to an impressive diversity of species in multiple ecosystems, and sustainably managed forest areas. Discover how history, modern forestry, and nature conservation come together in these special areas.
Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH acquired the first plots of land from Brandenburgische Bodengesellschaft in 2003 with lots 1, 2, and 3. A year later, lot 4, the northern part of the forestry operation, was also acquired. The forestry operation is named after the large and small Möggelin lakes in the FFH area of the same name.
The MÖGGELINSEE forest, a consolidated area of approximately 4,000 hectares, is situated approximately 40 km south of Berlin and spans the districts of Teltow-Fläming and Dahme-Spreewald. Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH acquired the land in 2003 and 2004 from BBG as "MÖGGELINSEE Forest" in the four lots Lebersee, Möggelinseen, Schirknitzberg, and Zehrensdorfer Pfuhl.
There are four large lakes on the property:
- the large Möggelin lake 50 ha
- the small Möggelin lake 13 ha
- the Leber lake 15 ha
- the Zehrensdorfer Pfuhl 3 ha
All lakes are leased to fisherman Andreas Schulz in Wünsdorf. Over the past decade, a comprehensive network of paths has been cleared of ammunition. We have taken numerous measures to prevent forest fires and continue to do so today. This ranges from path construction and ammunition and waste clearance to regular fire brigade exercises and the creation of forest firebreaks. We have begun to increase the proportion of deciduous trees along all public paths. Last but not least, we are proud of our good relationship with the volunteer fire department and the town of Zossen's fire chief.
Lieberose military training area (total area 26,730 ha)
- Military use began in 1887 with the Imperial Wendish Training Ground – a test site for new weapon systems
- In 1945, it was taken over by the former Red Army and expanded eastward
- Intensive use as a large-scale maneuver area, tank and artillery, missile, and air-to-ground firing range until 1992
Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH acquired the forest area as LOS 1, comprising approx. 1,830 hectares of the former Lieberose military training area (total size":" 26,730 hectares) were transferred to the Brandenburg state government on August 25, 2008, from the Brandenburgische Bodengesellschaft as the "Drei Grenzen" forest.
The forestry operation was given the name "Drei Grenzen" because the three districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, and Spree-Neiße meet here in a road system. In addition, the historic forest owners of Houwald, von der Schulenburg, and the Royal Prussian Tower met here.
The "Drei Grenzen" forest, a consolidated forest property of approx. 1,830 hectares, located approximately 110 km southeast of Berlin, are situated in the districts of Dahme-Spreewald and Spree-Neiße in the East Brandenburg heath and lake region. The "Drei Grenzen" forest area is located on the eastern side of the former military training area, encompassing the districts of Byhleguhre, Byhlen, Fehrow, and Schmogrow.
As a whole, the "Drei Grenzen" forest is a refuge for heath and forest ecosystems on nutrient-poor sands and inland dunes. The forest is primarily characterized by Märkisch lichen pine forests in better locations, with sessile oak pine forests also present. The forest is located in the "Central Brandenburg Valley Sand and Moraine Land" growth area, which was shaped by the Weichselian glaciation. The growth district boundary cuts through the southern part of the forestry operation, thus separating the northern part, which is characterized by meltwater sediments in the "Beeskower Platte" growth district, from the southern peripheral areas with the valley sands of the Oberspreewald lowlands – the glacial valley of the Weichselian Ice Age. Part of the forestry operation is located in the "Lieberoser Endmoräne" nature reserve, a sandy landscape in the young moraine area that remains very nutrient-poor in parts.
The site conditions range from a dry, continental-influenced lowland climate to a moderately dry, continental-influenced lowland climate. The average annual temperature is 8.6°C, and the yearly precipitation total ranges from 470 to 540 mm, resulting in below-average water and nutrient availability. Here we find a very continental climate with heat and cold peaks in summer of +35°C and -30°C in winter.
Heidehof/Jüterbog East military training area (total area 11,940 ha)
- Use began during the imperial era. Former agricultural land with low yields was sold to the military for use. At that time, HEIDEHOF was a farm.
- After a large forest fire in 1943, which was probably deliberately set, the Waffen-SS began construction of the planned large military training area.
- In 1945, the site was taken over by the Red Army, and it was subsequently expanded.
- Intensive military use as a large-scale maneuver area, also within the framework of the Warsaw Pact, with a chemical training area, field airfield, artillery, tank, missile, air, and ground firing ranges, as well as a significant driving training area for tanks; last tank firing in 1992.
On October 12, 2006, Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH acquired the Heidehof area, designated as Lot 1 of the entire former Heidehof-Jüterbog Ost military training area (total area":" 11,940 hectares), from the State of Brandenburg's Brandenburgische Bodengesellschaft, which was previously known as the "Heidehof" forest.
The Heidehof forest, a consolidated forest property of approx. 1,450 hectares, located approximately 100 km south of Berlin, are situated in the district of Teltow-Fläming. The forest area is located on the western border of the former military training area, encompassing the districts of Kolzenburg, Neuhof, Werder, and Markendorf. The property is situated in the eastern foothills of the "Fläming" growth area, with its "Fläming-Altmoränenland" growth district characterized by a hilly end moraine and gently undulating ground moraine landscape.
This area encompasses the 1,200-hectare "Heidehof-Golmberg" nature reserve, one of the largest inland dune areas in Germany, featuring extensive sand heaths and forests of pine, birch, aspen, and oak trees. Approximately 240 hectares in the southeastern part lie outside this nature reserve.
Over the last ten years, a network of paths has been created that has been wholly cleared of ammunition. Significant labor and financial resources have been invested in preventive forest fire protection, path construction, and the clearance of ammunition and waste. Additionally, forest fire protection strips have been established along the outer boundaries to safeguard the villages. Wald- und Grundbesitz GmbH maintains good relations with the surrounding population and the relevant authorities, who appreciate and support our efforts. We have excellent relations with the local volunteer fire departments and the district fire chief of the Teltow-Fläming district, so that immediate action can be taken in the event of a fire or disaster.
