Germany: Hannover Adventure Zoo and City of Hannover Present Idea Sketch for “Forest Experience World”

In order to turn the 640-hectare Eilenriede urban forest of Hannover into a close-to-nature experience, Hannover Adventure Zoo and the city of Hannover presented a first idea sketch for the development of a “Forest Experience World”. The concept includes a forest-friendly treetop path in combination with an indoor forest experience center for education offerings with an ecological focus for all age groups. “The treetop path with an associated adventure center is designed as a sustainable, cross-generational nature experience […],” says Andreas M. Casdorff, general manager of Hannover Adventure Zoo. “The location of the already existing exhibition building […] is the ideal place for a forest edutainment center,” he adds.

Already in the entrance building, visitors will get the feeling of stepping into the forest. Interactive learning stations, digital information columns, laboratory islands, audio chairs and holograms, among other elements, could form the educational offerings here. The central object for the forest experience could be a round exhibition building, which could also have a 15-meter-high observation tower. Projections, digital content and audio recordings will bring visitors to the exhibition center closer to the forest as a habitat and vegetation area. The treetop trail could start from the top platform of this building, offering visitors further interactive experience stations and information panels.

If the design creates positive response from the committees and the general public, the zoo will present financing options and a business plan so that a reliable concept could be presented by the end of the year. (eap)