Open BTU: Trees in transition - challenges and opportunities (as part of the 32nd Cottbus Environment Week)

1st lecture

Enhancing landscapes with trees - The function of tree-rich landscapes as a link between agriculture, water management and nature conservation.

Trees have always been an important part of our landscapes, even outside the forest. However, knowledge of their benefits has been lost in many places. Trees were often even perceived as a nuisance and removed. Today, when climate change, water pollution and species decline are presenting us with major challenges, the positive significance of trees in our landscape is very clearly visible. The lecture focuses on their effect on climate, soil, water and biodiversity, but also on productivity in agricultural landscapes. It will also shed light on which woody plants are considered sustainable and why it is often very difficult to establish new, tree-rich landscapes.

Speaker: Dr. Christian Böhm, Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation

2nd lecture:

Model project "Branitz Tree University" - New ways of propagating and using woody plants in the area of conflict between climate change, garden monument preservation and nature conservation

In the mid-19th century, poor soil and a lack of water posed great challenges for Prince Pückler in the annex to his famous landscape park in Branitz. Nevertheless, he succeeded in creating "an oasis out of the desert". Preserving this "oasis" in times of accelerating climate change and developing it for the future is the task of the "Branitz University of Trees". The lecture will provide an insight into the historical beginnings of the "Tree University" and will look at current challenges and possible solutions for the future.

Speaker: Christoph Haase, Officer for Garden Monument Conservation at the Prince Pückler Museum Park and Castle Branitz Foundation and head of the "Branitz Tree University" project

Moderation:Stephan Böttcher, City of Cottbus, Head of the Environment and Nature Department and Thomas Hasenauer, BTU, Centre for Continuing Education and Research

Location

Zoo restaurant "Schlodder", Cottbus Zoo, Kiekebuscher Str. 5, 03042 Cottbus

About the Open BTU lecture series

From April 10, 2024 to June 12, 2024, the public lecture series "Open BTU" offers interesting insights into exciting scientific fields. In the summer semester, the following topics will be examined from different perspectives:

• Empathy, guilt and forgiveness after the 2nd World War
• Sorbian/Wendish culture in the current transformation process
• The effects of populism on the economy and social groups
• Trees in transition - challenges and opportunities (as part of the 32nd Cottbus Environment Week)
• Battery research for the energy transition - prospects for innovative battery recycling

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Centre for Continuing Education supports lifelong learning and funds the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. The BTU cooperates with other universities and institutions. Each lecture will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion with the speakers. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the wide range of events on offer.