On February 26th, Wolfgang Netsch’s work at the Lohr branch of the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests (AELF) in Karlstadt ended. The forest scientist with a doctorate was in the service of the Free State of Bavaria for around 40 years. During his last 16 years of service, he was head of the F1 department at the Lohr branch of the AELF Karlstadt. During this time, the tobacco pipe-smoking forester left many good marks in the Spessart forests and in the minds and hearts of his employees, according to a press release by the AELF.
Hardly anyone has known the forests of the Spessart for as long as Wolfgang Netsch. Born in Gunzenhausen, he grew up in a forestry household and studied forest science at the University of Munich after finishing school in Bamberg, Streitberg and Forchheim. In 1981 he passed the major state forestry examination and followed in his father’s footsteps. After receiving his doctorate at the Chair of Forest Policy and Forest History, he first worked at the Marktheidenfeld Forestry Office in 1988, later at the Forestry Directorate in Würzburg and in 2005 at the Lohr branch of the AELF Karlstadt.
Damage from drought and bark beetles
In addition to the storm of the century Lothar, which caused devastating damage across Europe in 1999, Netsch also had to manage other damaging events and bark beetle calamities in the forest during his service. Most recently, storm Burglind caused massive regional forest damage in 2018. In recent years, the drought caused by climate change has determined the forester’s day-to-day business. Netsch therefore looks somewhat depressed into the future: “I am very concerned about the condition of the forest, which has been plagued by heat, drought and pests for several years. I also observe with concern the increasing alienation of many people from our natural basis of life. We foresters have to renovate the forest here and counteracting public relations work. A mammoth task! ”
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Over the years, Netsch himself has developed his typical composure in dealing with disasters and has proven himself as an experienced crisis manager. Netsch also had to experience several administrative reforms in his professional life, which always affected and challenged him personally. At the end of his professional life, however, Netsch, who has an affinity for forestry, looks back primarily on the positive developments in recent years. Extensive forest conversion measures to create richly structured and species-rich mixed forests shaped his period of service. Intensive efforts for forest conservation and enthusiasm for the sustainable tree species oak were the focus of his work. The designation of the FFH area Hochspessart and the SPA area (bird protection) Spessart were further significant events in his professional life. It was always important to the 65-year-old to bring different interests under one roof.
Appreciated as a discussion partner in hunting circles
As an enthusiastic hunter, Wolfgang Netsch is a valued discussion partner in hunting circles. In his private life, he is the chairman of the red deer reserve community Spessart-Nord. Netsch shares his passion for hunting with his German long-haired male “Brecht von Buchheim”, who like his master has already turned a bit gray after more than 14 years of hunting and service together.
Netsch was involved in the training of trainee lawyers and candidates at an early stage. Netsch was a popular supervisor and mentor. Due to the corona, Netsch said goodbye in a small group. His employees said goodbye with a creative video clip. The selection process for the successor to Netsch is already underway.
Netsch doesn’t want to let go of the forest completely. As operations manager, even after his retirement he will dare to take a professional look into the treetops and spend his time making firewood in the forest. Of course, hunting will not be neglected in his retirement either: “Although I recently became a grandpa, I hope to have more time for my hobbies in the future. Retirement supposedly means having more time. I do hear from experienced grandpas, however exactly the opposite. I’m curious! “
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