250 years ago, the forest was still healthy in most European countries. But that is over. The habitat for countless animal and plant species is in danger. Yet we need it. It provides us with valuable raw materials, stores water and ensures a good climate.

For some years now, drought and heat have been taking their toll on the trees, pests are multiplying rapidly, illegal logging is lining the pockets of criminal organisations – and even state-subsidised clear-cutting is increasing the profits of industry. That is why there are more and more people fighting for their forests. In our series “The Forest Saviours” we meet people of conviction who are closely connected to the forest and do everything they can to preserve it. We meet the Counts of Bernstorff, who are using innovative methods, courage and experimentation to transform their forest so that it can survive the climate crisis. In Finland, we meet activists who are fighting against deforestation for the paper industry and for the last reindeer herders. We show what Susanne and Pierre are doing in the French Massif Central to fight monoculture and accompany Knut Sturm, who shows what a healthy forest can look like in the Lübeck city forest. And finally, we accompany people in Romania who have declared war on the timber mafia.