A grassroots initiative from Berlin-Neukölln · since 2022
The Emmaus Forest stays!
Together for the preservation of our city forest! The largest forest in Berlin-Neukölln is facing destruction – so we founded the initiative “Emmauswald bleibt!” to protect it.
4
hectares of forest – Neukölln's largest official forest
725
mapped trees, at least 230 classified as worthy of preservation
20
documented protected bird species, including goshawk and long-eared owl
22,000
signatures for the preservation of the Emmaus Forest
The Emmaus Forest
The most important information at a glance
Location
The Emmaus Forest is located on the former Emmaus church cemetery, right next to the Hermannstraße S-Bahn station in Berlin-Neukölln.
The forest
With almost 4 hectares, over 700 trees and many animal species, it is Neukölln's largest official forest and a unique biotope of special ecological value in a heavily burdened neighbourhood.
Development plans
BUWOG plans to clear at least half of the forest in order to build owner-occupied condominiums.
Our goal
Since 2022 we have been fighting to preserve the entire forest while proposing taller social housing on the adjacent brownfield site.
What happened, and why is the forest in danger?
For more than ten years there has been political debate about developing the western part of the Emmaus cemetery, now officially classified as forest under Berlin law. BUWOG, a VONOVIA subsidiary, plans 490 owner-occupied apartments there. After district politicians backed preservation in spring 2023, the Neukölln district office suspended the procedure; the Berlin Senate took it over that summer.
We oppose this approach and the current project. The neighbourhood needs affordable, social and environmentally just housing, not more high-priced apartments. Affordable housing can be built on the adjacent brownfield. Condominiums in the Emmaus Forest would help neither the ecology nor the social situation.
The loss of this forest area would likely have a particularly negative impact on the urban climate.
Berlin Forestry Authority, statement on the forest status
Our demands
What do we demand?
Preservation of the entire forest
The Emmaus Forest is a species-rich biotope with 725 mapped trees and habitat for protected birds, hedgehogs, foxes and rare insects. Clearing even half would endanger the interconnected ecosystem.
No condominiums and underground garages in place of this biotope.
Social housing instead of condominiums
We demand affordable social housing on the adjacent brownfield or already sealed surfaces. The forest must not be sacrificed for expensive investment properties.
Housing is not a luxury; it is a basic need.
No housing at nature's expense
Social housing and nature conservation must not be played off against one another. The neighbourhood needs socially and ecologically just solutions, not more high-priced housing.
Take action
What can you do to support the forest?
01
Join the initiative
Join our Telegram group for updates, ways to get involved and meeting dates.
02
Spread the word
Tell neighbours, friends and family about the Emmaus Forest, distribute flyers or share our social-media posts.
03
Sign the petition
Add your name in support of the Emmaus Forest. More than 22,000 people have already signed.
04
Political support
Write to the responsible members of parliament and attend rallies and sessions of the Berlin House of Representatives.
Together we can make a difference and make sure that the #Emmauswald stays!
Latest from the initiative
Events
No upcoming events.
Press coverage
On location in Neukölln’s Emmaus Forest: Dispute over Berlin’s small forest (DER TAG in Berlin & Brandenburg)
rbb / ARD-Mediathek
Forest or housing – dispute over the Emmaus Forest in Neukölln
nd-aktuell.de
Smaller building footprint, taller buildings: Revised plans for Neukölln’s Emmaus Forest
Tagesspiegel
Emmaus Forest in Neukölln: Taller, denser development planned
ENTWICKLUNGSSTADT Berlin
Emmaus Forest in Neukölln: Clear-cutting in exchange for payment
nd-aktuell.de
Emmaus Forest in Berlin-Neukölln: Conservation groups call for the construction project to be halted
Tagesspiegel
Preserving the Emmaus Forest: Organisations call for the Mariendorfer Weg development plans to be shelved
Berliner Woche
‘Species-rich habitat’: Conservation groups want to save Neukölln’s Emmaus Forest
FACETTEN-Magazin Neukölln
The Emmaus Forest in Neukölln must remain (open letter)
NABU Berlin
Emmaus Forest: Dispute over Neukölln’s largest forest continues
Berliner Morgenpost
Emmaus cemetery: Senate wants to clear Neukölln’s largest forest – residents protest
Berliner Zeitung
Emmaus Forest: Not a single tree may be felled
junge Welt
The linked articles were published in German by the named outlets. English titles are provided for orientation; the external articles have not been translated.
Donate
Support the Emmaus Forest with your donation
Campaign materials, catering, logistics and this website all cost money. We depend on your support to keep protecting the Emmaus Forest – every amount helps. Emmauswald bleibt! e. V. has been a registered non-profit since 2026 and can issue donation receipts.
Donation account
Account holder
Emmauswald bleibt! e. V.
IBAN
DE19 8306 5408 0007 0046 56
BIC
GENODEF1SLR
Bank
Deutsche Skatbank
PayPal / email
Materials
Materials to download and distribute
Download our materials, print them out and hand them to your neighbours!
Gallery
Impressions of the Emmaus Forest
Select an image to view it at full size.
Contact
Get in touch!
Reach us by email, or join our Telegram group and get involved.