Deutscher Forstverein

What Deutscher Forstverein does

Deutscher Forstverein e.V. (DFV) is Germany's oldest and largest forest advocacy association, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Göttingen as a registered non-profit (eingetragener Verein). The organization operates as a federated membership body coordinating 11 regional state forest associations (Länderforstvereine) that together represent over 7,000 forestry professionals, forest owners, and academics across all German states. DFV's mission centers on forestry policy advocacy, public relations for the forestry sector, and continuing professional education, delivered through biennial national conferences (Forstvereinstagungen), online and in-person seminars and workshops, the quarterly proWALD magazine, and the Junges Netzwerk Forst (JNF) youth network.

DFV generates revenue primarily through individual membership dues, supplemented by event and seminar fees, the proWALD publication, and over 30 corporate partner/sponsor relationships (Fördermitglieder) that also provide member benefits such as AXA and Gothaer insurance products at negotiated group rates and Subaru vehicle discounts of up to 15%. Internationally, DFV runs the Forest Expert Program in partnership with the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and GIZ, hosting trainees and delegations from 16+ countries including Indonesia, Peru, Kenya, Uruguay, China, and Vietnam. The organization maintains bilateral exchanges with Poland and Kenya, and participates in European networks including EFN and NIWA.

The current leadership is President Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schraml (re-elected June 2026) and Managing Director Johanna Werk. DFV has no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capabilities, and no disclosed revenue figures. The organization celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024 ('Wald im Wandel – 125 Jahre Engagement') and is hosting its 72nd Member Assembly in Rostock in June 2026. DFV's primary strategic partners include PEFC Deutschland (forest certification), KWF (forestry technology), Niedersächsische Landesforsten (NLF, the largest forest owner in Lower Saxony), and international collaborators GIZ and BMEL.

Name

Deutscher Forstverein

Legal name

Deutscher Forstverein e.V.

Website

https://forstverein.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Deutscher Forstverein is a 125-year-old German non-profit forestry association coordinating 11 regional state forest associations and over 7,000 members nationwide. It provides policy advocacy, professional education, conferences, the proWALD magazine, and member benefits including insurance and partner discounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Forestry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Forestry (800), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Smallholder/Community Forest Group Certification (SLIMF) Support (AFAMALAG)

Keywords

• Forestry association
• Professional networking
• Continuing education
• Forest conservation
• Member publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Göttingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from its 7,000+ members, supplemented by event fees, seminar/workshop participation fees, and the publication (proWALD magazine) which is distributed to members. Additional revenue comes from partner sponsorships and supporter memberships (Fördermitgliedschaft).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Deutscher Forstverein (DFV) is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) that operates as a membership-based network for Germany's forestry sector, founded in 1899. The organization delivers its core value through membership services, including the quarterly proWALD magazine, international knowledge-exchange programs (Forest Expert Program), biennial national conferences (Forstvereinstagungen), online and in-person seminars/workshops, and a youth network (Junges Netzwerk Forst). It coordinates activities across 11 state-level regional associations (Länderforstvereine) covering all German states.

Product overview

Deutscher Forstverein is a non-profit professional association (eingetragener Verein) for the German forestry sector, operating as a unified membership organization rather than a commercial product company. Its portfolio consists of membership services including the quarterly proWALD magazine, the international Forest Expert Program for knowledge exchange, regular Forstvereinstagungen conferences, online and in-person seminars/workshops, and the Junges Netzwerk Forst youth network. The organization also negotiates member benefits including insurance products (AXA, Gothaer) and vehicle discounts (Subaru). The DFV coordinates with 11 state-level Länderforstvereine representing over 7,000 members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• proWALD: The official magazine/journal of the Deutscher Forstverein, published quarterly for members.
• Junges Netzwerk Forst (JNF)
• Forest Expert Program

Products and services

• proWALD Magazine Official membership magazine of Deutscher Forstverein, published quarterly and distributed free of charge to all members. Each issue covers a themed topic with multiple perspectives, supplemented by news from the state associations and the central office.
• Forest Expert Program (FEP) International training and exchange program inviting forestry professionals from around the world to Germany. The program hosts international trainees and delegations for training in German sustainable forest management practices, with participants from countries including Uruguay, Kenya, Georgia, Indonesia, Peru, Romania, Laos, Tajikistan, Hungary, Zambia, Vietnam, China, and Ukraine.
• Forstvereinstagungen (DFV National Conferences) Regular national conferences and conventions organized by Deutscher Forstverein and hosted in different German cities, featuring seminars, workshops, excursions, and the association's general meeting. The 72nd Mitgliederversammlung is scheduled for Rostock in 2026.
• Online-Seminare (Online Seminars) Virtual seminar offerings providing continuing education opportunities for forestry professionals and DFV members on forestry-relevant topics.
• Workshops und Seminare In-person workshop and seminar programs covering topics such as climate forestry (Klimawald), forest policy (Waldpolitik), forest innovation (Waldinnovation), performance forestry (Leistungswald), and forest operations (Waldbetrieb).
• Junges Netzwerk Forst (JNF) Dedicated youth network for young forestry professionals within the DFV, fostering intergenerational exchange and the transfer of knowledge between experienced foresters and young professionals.
• DFV Membership Annual membership in the Deutscher Forstverein providing access to the proWALD magazine, member benefits (negotiated group insurance rates with AXA and Gothaer, Subaru vehicle discounts), events, seminars, and the broader network across 11 state forest associations.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gothaer VersicherungcoreOthersGothaer is a key insurance partner of the DFV, offering group hunting liability insurance (Jagdhaftpflichtversicherung) at discounted rates for members. The DFV handles data management enabling significantly reduced premiums. Also offers dog health insurance and other property coverage.
• AXA VersicherungcoreOthersAXA provides exclusive risk accident insurance recognizing tick bites as accidents, hunting liability insurance (BOXflex), forest fire insurance, storm insurance, and forest owner liability insurance for DFV members at negotiated group rates.
• SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSubaru offers DFV members up to 15% discount on gasoline-powered models and up to 11% on fully electric models (SOLTERRA, Uncharted, Outback E-Boxer). Members obtain a voucher through the DFV office.
• PEFC DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEFC is the leading forest certification system in Germany. DFV supports and promotes PEFC certification as part of its sustainable forest management advocacy.
• LIGNA HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIGNA Hannover is the world's leading trade fair for the wood and forestry sector. DFV actively participates and promotes the event.
• Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik (KWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWF is a leading institution for forestry work and forest technology in Germany, focusing on improving forestry technology and working conditions, providing testing and evaluation of forestry equipment.
• Die Niedersächsischen Landesforsten (NLF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNLF is the largest forest owner in Lower Saxony with 336,600 hectares of state forest, annual revenue of approximately 130 million euros, and net value creation of about 60 million euros.
• GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ collaborates with DFV on international projects FORCLIME (Indonesia) and Pro Ambiente II (Peru), supporting additional delegations and trainees in the Forest Expert Program.
• Deutsche Volkssportverband e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Hiking and Sports Federation with approximately 700 member hiking and sports clubs, organizing hiking days and guided walks, supporting DFV's public outreach.
• EggerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned wood-based materials company founded in 1961, employing approximately 7,200 people at 17 European locations, producing particle board, OSB, MDF panels, and lumber.
• Hohenzollern ForstdiensteminorOthersForestry service provider founded in 2011 by Prince of Hohenzollern for private forest owners. Specializes in timber harvesting and marketing, particularly in steep terrain and fully mechanized harvesting.
• VitaForstminorOthersForestry services company offering consulting, certification processes, silvicultural advice, traffic safety liability assessments, timber harvesting, and forest culture establishment and maintenance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Swedish Forestry Association (Föreningen Skogen): Sweden's national forestry association, founded in 1883, with a similar professional membership model, publications, and policy advocacy mission. Closest Nordic analogue to DFV's structure and member composition.
• Deutscher Jagdverband (DJV): DJV is the German Hunting Association, a closely adjacent member-based organization that overlaps with DFV's forest owner and forest management member segments. Both organizations share member benefit partnerships (e.g., Gothaer hunting liability insurance for DFV members) and overlapping constituency in German rural and forest-owning communities.
• Bund Deutscher Forstleute (BDF): BDF is the German professional union/association for forestry employees and public sector forest workers. Directly comparable to DFV in target constituency (German forestry professionals) and advocacy mission, but focused on employment/labor interests rather than the broader professional/policy remit of DFV.
• European Forest Institute: EFI is a pan-European international organization supporting forest-related research, policy, and cross-border knowledge exchange. DFV is an active member of EFI's network (EFN) and shares a comparable mission of advancing sustainable forestry through collaboration and expertise sharing.
• Society of American Foresters: The Society of American Foresters is the largest national professional forestry association in the US, with a similar membership-based model providing continuing education, professional credentials, publications, and policy advocacy. Comparable scale and member composition (forestry professionals, owners, students) to DFV.
• Royal Forestry Society: The Royal Forestry Society is the UK's premier membership organization for forestry professionals, forest owners, and tree enthusiasts. Highly comparable to DFV as a national professional association offering education, networking, publications, and policy advocacy for the forestry sector in its respective country.

Broad incumbents

• Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND): BUND is one of Germany's largest environmental NGOs with significant forestry and forest conservation advocacy. Comparable to DFV as a German membership-based organization engaging on forest policy, but broader in environmental scope (climate, agriculture, biodiversity).
• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): NABU is Germany's largest nature and biodiversity conservation association with over 900,000 members. Comparable to DFV as a major German nature-focused membership organization that engages on forest protection, but with a much broader environmental remit and larger scale.

Emerging players

• PEFC International (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification): PEFC is the world's leading forest certification system, with DFV as a core partner promoting PEFC certification in Germany. While PEFC is a certification body rather than membership association, it shares DFV's mission of advancing sustainable forest management and serves overlapping stakeholders.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): FSC is the other major global forest certification system, working with forest owners, businesses, and NGOs to promote responsible forest management. Overlaps with DFV's mission in sustainable forestry advocacy and serves related German forest owner and timber industry stakeholders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/forstverein
• Facebookfacebook.com/Forstverein
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutscher-forstverein-e.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deutscher Forstverein