Wolfgang Schmoldt honored by mayor Ute Ehrhardt
On the occasion of International Volunteer Day on 5.12.25, Mr. Wolfgang Schmoldt was presented with the badge of honour by Mayor Ute Ehrhardt in Altkünkendorf.
Since the Grumsin Beech Forest was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site of European Beech Forests and the opening of the Altkünkendorf information point in 2013, Wolfgang Schmoldt has continued to volunteer for the World Heritage Site. At the age of 94, this is not a matter of course.
To this day, Mr. Schmoldt is like a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to the Grumsin Beech Forest. He is happy to provide information to visitors at the information point or to members of the press. On hikes in the Grumsin Beech Forest, he always walks ahead at a brisk pace and knows something to tell at every turn. Anyone who explores the beech forest in his company knows the secret of why there are no ducks on Lake Buckow, where the black stork once had its eyrie or what the burial mounds are all about.
The award ceremony was embedded in an educational program with a hike through the World Heritage Beech Forest and the final event of the volunteers for the season review in the Infopunkt 2025.
We wish Wolfang Schmoldt continued good health and thank him for his many years of voluntary work. We would also like to thank the other 28 volunteers and look forward to a new season in 2026.