In 2026, the German component sites of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe mark their 15th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, HNEE will host a two-day specialist conference, funded and organised by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, with professional and logistical support from ECONICS INSTITUTE e.V. and agrathaer GmbH.
The conference will focus on the global significance of ancient beech forests, the latest findings from monitoring and research programmes, and prospects for their protection in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises. It will bring together stakeholders from science, administration, policy and practice, creating space for professional exchange, networking and in-depth discussion. The programme will include keynote addresses and expert talks on the development of the UNESCO site, presentations of current research and monitoring results, specialist panels, and interactive discussion formats. All five German World Heritage sites will also have the opportunity to present themselves.
Day 1 – Scientific Conference
The first day will take place at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) and will include:
- Opening contributions on the significance of the UNESCO beech forests
- Scientific presentations on current research findings
- A specialist panel on biodiversity, climate protection and monitoring
- A moderated discussion with audience participation
- Opportunities for professional exchange and networking
Accompanying the programme, information and presentation formats will offer insights into the five German World Heritage component sites.
Day 2 – Excursion to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The second day will take participants to the UNESCO World Heritage component site Grumsin in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. During a guided excursion, attendees will gain insights into:
- Monitoring and research approaches within the World Heritage site
- The ecological characteristics of beech forest ecosystems
- Management measures and conservation strategies
- Current challenges in the context of climate change and biodiversity protection
The excursion offers an opportunity to explore and discuss the themes of the conference directly in the landscape itself.
When: 16–17 September 2026
Where: Wilhelm Pfeil Auditorium, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), Alfred-Möller-Straße 1, 16225 Eberswalde
The event will be held primarily in German.
The full programme and registration are available here.
Please note that places are limited to 100 participants. Early registration is strongly recommended — the deadline is 31 July 2026.
