Over 1,000 trees for climate protection

Reforestation along the Mittelland Canal by Westfalen and the town of Hörstel

Thorsten Güttler (left to right), municipal tree inspector, David Ostholthoff, Mayor of Hörstel, Christin Wessels, Westfalen Sustainability Manager and Matthias Foitzik, Managing Director of Westfalen Industriegase GmbH plant the 1000th tree. (Photo credit: Westfalen AG, Münster)

The town of Hörstel and the Westfalen Group are joining forces to set an example in climate protection and sustainable development: thanks to a donation from the Münster-based company, a piece of forest has been reforested on Harkenbergstraße in Hörstel.

Westfalen sustainability manager Christin Wessels and Matthias Foitzik, managing director of Westfalen Industriegase GmbH, together with Hörstel's mayor David Ostholthoff and the municipal tree inspector Thorsten Güttler, have now planted the 1000th tree there.
Initiated by employees at Westfalen's Hörstel site, the company suggested the tree-planting campaign to the town of Hörstel. Together with the town council, the area on Harkenbergstraße directly on the Mittellankkanal was selected for the afforestation as a first step. The woodland was in a poor condition due to bark beetles and storms. Planting began at the end of November, with 600 oaks, as well as copper beeches, cherries and winter lindens, among others, being transplanted.

Further planting initiatives in collaboration between the town of Hörstel and the Westfalen Group are already in the pipeline.

This will create a diverse and stable forest area that not only contributes to climate protection but also enriches the habitat for numerous animal and plant species. Further joint planting projects are to be implemented in the next few years. “Together we can make a valuable contribution to our environment and leave a healthy natural world to future generations,” says David Ostholthoff, mayor of Hörstel, welcoming the commitment of Hörsteler companies to climate and sustainability.

“It is a matter of principle for us to be socially involved in the communities where we are based,” explains Matthias Foitzik. “We are therefore delighted to have the opportunity to help finance this reforestation project. We are all the more pleased about the positive impact on the environment,” adds sustainability manager Christin Wessels.