A special anniversary is set to accompany us once again throughout the month: 15 years of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site ‘Ancient Beech Forests of Germany’. It will reach its autumnal highlight on 27 September, centred around the UNESCO World Heritage Forum at the Waldhalle.

When the forest tells its stories

On Sunday 27 September, from 12 noon to 4 pm, the Waldhalle will become a meeting place for nature lovers of all ages. Bread on a stick sizzles over the fire pit, little forest creatures come to life at the children’s face-painting stall, and at the forest discovery table – as well as with VR glasses – new perspectives on the five German UNESCO World Heritage beech forests open up. The exhibition in the UNESCO World Heritage Forum and the forest playground also invite visitors to explore and linger.

The Rostock-based trio Taktlos will provide the perfect soundtrack amongst the trees. Three voices and unusual arrangements take listeners on a musical journey from folk songs and gospel to well-known pop songs, turning the afternoon into a mini forest concert.

The day’s programme begins at 10 am at Sassnitz Zoo, where the World Heritage Trail for children aged 6 to 12 gets underway. In small teams, the young forest explorers set off for the Waldhalle. Fabulous forest elves accompany them from station to station, where puzzles, tasks and mysterious messages from the forest await.
In the afternoon, the teams arrive at the Forest Festival. Around 3 pm, the stage is theirs: as ‘little World Heritage site guardians’, they announce the messages they have collected from the forest before the winners are honoured.
Important: Anyone wishing to take part in the World Heritage Trail must register by 21 September by calling 038392 661766 or emailing ub@koenigsstuhl.com.

On the day of the event, thanks to the VVR, the Line 18 e-bus will run exclusively between Sassnitz and the Waldhalle from 11.20 am to 3.40 pm. 

When the September forest grows quiet

Even aside from the Forest Festival, it’s well worth spending a little more time in the National Park in September.

On 5 September at 2.00 pm, the graphic novel ‘Auf Rügen war stürmisch Wetter, ich zeichnete…’ will be presented in person at the cinema of the KÖNIGSSTUHL National Park Centre will be presented in person by author Holger Reschke, illustrator Jakob Knapp and scientist Prof. Dr Hans-Dieter Knapp. The story follows Caspar David Friedrich on his seven journeys to and around Rügen, thus providing a cultural echo of this year’s Romanticism Days. Admission is included in the ticket price.

On 11 September from 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm, a bat walk will begin, led by certified nature and landscape guide Eckhard Berger. As twilight falls over the beech forest, the silent hunters of the night become active. The walk is suitable for adults and children aged ten and over when accompanied by an adult, and costs 10 euros or 5 euros for children up to the age of 14.

As part of Sustainability Week, a sensory walk through the National Park will follow on 18 September from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. What does the beech forest sound like with your eyes closed? How does tree bark feel, and what scents linger amongst the ancient beech trees? Simple exercises and experiments encourage participants to slow down and become more aware of nature. The number of participants is limited to 15. Tickets for the walks are available in advance from the online shop.

36 years of Jasmund National Park

Another anniversary is also being celebrated in September: Jasmund National Park is turning 36. To mark the occasion, a Swedish orchestra of around 35 musicians will be performing on 12 September at 2 pm on the ‘Wiese der Romantik’ at the KÖNIGSSTUHL National Park Centre. The programme for the birthday concert ranges from ABBA to classical brass music and Frank Sinatra. The concert is included in the admission price.

Now open from 9 am to 6 pm

As the days grow shorter, the opening hours at the Königsstuhl are also changing. The KÖNIGSSTUHL National Park Centre will be open daily from 9 am to 6 pm between 1 September and 31 October. This leaves plenty of time to explore the interactive exhibition, the World Heritage Cinema, the discovery stations in the outdoor area and, of course, to enjoy new views from the Skywalk of the Königsstuhl, the chalk coast and the Baltic Sea. The opening hours of the UNESCO World Heritage Forum Waldhalle remain unchanged: daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

Everyday tips for an eco-friendly and sustainable autumn

Autumn brings not only colourful forests and cooler days, but also a wealth of opportunities to make everyday life more sustainable. If you buy regional and seasonal fruit and vegetables now, you can preserve the harvest for the colder months by preserving, drying or fermenting them.

It’s also worth taking a closer look during an autumn walk: mushrooms, apples, pears or chestnuts can enrich your larder – provided you know which varieties are edible. Gardens and balconies can still be put to good use in autumn: autumn-flowering plants continue to provide food for insects. And if you take a bin bag with you on your walk, you can do nature a favour at the same time.

More tips at: wwf.de/herbsttipps