See the forest through different eyes - On the Rothaarsteig with a ranger
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Ranger with family in the forestPhoto: Klaus-Peter Kappest, Touristikverband Siegerland-Wittgenstein e.V.
A ranger? What is that? The German word for this is “Schutzgebietsbetreuer”, but the term borrowed from the National Park Rangers in the US sounds more catchy. There is a total of ten rangers in South Westphalia, with six of these on the Rothaarsteig. Since 2003, Speck and his five colleagues have been points of contact for anyone hiking along the Rothaarsteig, also known as the “way of the senses”.
All-rounder forest: habitat for animals and plants, recreational area for people
“Hauberg is a form of sustainable forest management typical of Siegerland, which is still practised today”, explains Speck. “This form of forest management is hundreds of years old and yet entirely modern, because sustainability is a major topic again today. Hauberg management allows the trees time to grow and only a few are felled, so the forest remains in balance. Today, the forest is seen through different eyes and no longer primarily as an economic region. It is a multi-talent: A habitat for animals and plants, a place to relax for humans. The forest also protects against noise and is good for the air, water and soil.”
The ranger points out furrows in the bark of a slender tree. He takes a deer antler from his rucksack and explains how a buck rubbed the velvet from his antlers here.
The working areas of a ranger
You forget time on the Rothaarsteig. Even Matthias Speck himself can “slow down wonderfully” there. A dream job? “Many envy me because of it. But the working day consists of more than just going for walks.”He lists out the tasks: Taking care of trails and walkways, maintaining forest experience trails, protecting nature, including making sure that there is no rubbish lying about. There are hardly any litter bins: “Most of them were removed: The raccoons were too interested in the contents”, laughs Speck.
A lot is planted in Siegen-Wittgenstein, the most densely forested region in Germany. More than 80 percent of the forests are privately owned. Many of the owners relied on spruce for a long time but now they are changing to more durable species like fir, Douglas fir, ash and maple. Climate change is becoming obvious and is of course a topic on the guided tours.
Sie haben Interesse daran die Ranger einmal zu begleiten? Kein Problem! Auf ihren spannenden Streifzügen, Exkursionen und Führungen bringen die ...
And what does Matthias Speck do in his free time? “Then”, he laughs and take a breath of forest air, “I like to go hiking with my own three children in our local forest”.
Matthias Speck, born in 1969, a trained forester, has known his territory since childhood. Offers tours as a ranger for
Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz Nordrhein- Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia State Forestry and Timber Agency) and ensures the safety and well-being of visitors on the Rothaarsteig premium hiking trail. Speck and his five ranger colleagues are also trained as nature and landscape conservationists. Their focus is on people in the forest: Hikers, cyclists, joggers and riders.
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