News and events

On February 20, 2026, more than 40 representatives from municipalities, Berlin districts and rural counties, organizations and institutions, public administrations, and businesses gathered in the Bürgersaal in Bernau. The occasion was a workshop to discuss the feasibility study for a possible “Berlin-Barnim Biosphere Region.” In presentations, a plenary discussion, and two moderated group sessions, the participants compiled the strengths, challenges, visions, and expectations of the process for the establishment of a possible biosphere region.

The forms and paths of growth of the “green” are sometimes inexplicable, sometimes downright improbable, but always inspiring. Nature never follows straight lines. Detours and setbacks can even lead to strengthening.
At a time when we may doubt ourselves and despair, it is worth taking a look at the power of ecosystems. ECONICS is the logical approach to understanding this power a little better, learning from it, and thinking about and shaping human actions and economic activity in a truly ecosystemic way. Even more than our environment, we should probably pronature ourselves.

We are deeply saddened that Jane Goodall has left this earth. In gratitude for her perseverance in fighting for the habitat we all share, we will always remember our encounter with her.

The ECONICS INSTITUTE will now take over the role of the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management as a participating institution in the Forest Alliance coordination group.

The ECONICS Institute presents its first “Green-Wet-Cool Index,” which illustrates that land cover has a significant influence on surface temperature and precipitation. The mutually influential triangular relationship reflects the performance of landscapes and their sustainability in the face of climate change.

As part of an event organized by the State Working Group on Trees at BUND Saxony-Anhalt, Prof. Dr. Pierre Ibisch presented a new approach to socio-ecological wetland management.

Old deciduous forests have made it through the last few extreme summers relatively healthy and cool. At the same time, warming is rapidly increasing. What strategies are there to preserve our landscape as a vital resource?