Anni and Alex Kornelsen are the founding duo behind Mission to Marsh, a non-profit organization launched in 2022 with the goal of protecting and restoring wetlands. In their documentary Mission to Marsh, they show why these unique ecosystems are so vital for climate protection – and since spring 2025, they've been taking their message to cinemas across Europe.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics supports the European Film Tour as a main partner. In Hamburg, our COO and Executive Board Member Stefan Borggreve even joined the panel – a strong sign of corporate responsibility.

Hi Anni and Alex, you’ve made wetland protection your mission – why focus on this ecosystem? 

Alex Kornelsen: Wetlands might be the most underrated ecosystem out there. Yet they are real climate heroes: they store more CO₂ than all the forests on Earth – and without any technology. They're also home to rare species and act as natural sponges to prevent flooding.

Anni Kornelsen: As a scientist, I spent over ten years researching wetlands. At some point, it became clear: We need to get this knowledge out of labs and into society. That’s why we founded Mission to Marsh.

You're have been visiting 20 European cities with your film. Which moment on the tour stood out to you most?

Anni Kornelsen: Our screening at the Wildlife Embassy in Hamburg was a very special moment for me. There’s a nature film cinema there, and the theater was practically sold out. Many people we only knew from social media came – and we finally got to meet them in person.

Alex Kornelsen: The screening at the EU Parliament in Brussels was especially important to me. From the beginning, we were told that wetland protection needs to be brought into politics – and that’s exactly what happened. After the film, we joined a panel discussion with Jutta Paulus, a Member of the European Parliament, and talked about wetland conservation in Europe.

At the Hamburg screening, Stefan Borggreve from Hellmann joined the panel and spoke about purpose and partnership. What does this kind of collaboration with companies mean to you?

Alex Kornelsen: A lot. Climate protection only works if everyone’s on board – including business. The fact that Hellmann not only supports us financially but also takes a stand publicly means a lot. It was an honor that Stefan took the time to be there and clearly addressed the role companies play in climate action.

Anni Kornelsen: We're not about CO₂ compensation – we’re about genuine partnerships. Stefan made it very clear that sustainability is a strategic issue, not just a green label. His personal words about our mission touched me and gave me even more motivation. He seemed to have real respect for what our team is doing.

You connect with a lot of young people – how do you balance scientific depth with emotional storytelling?

Anni Kornelsen: Being scientifically accurate is essential for us. But emotions are the key to making people listen. That’s why we focus on imagery, stories, and real-life encounters – not just numbers.

Alex Kornelsen: We combine facts with feeling. The film brings the beauty of wetlands to the screen – suddenly, climate protection becomes tangible. Having Anni as a scientist and me as a marketing guy makes for a strong combination. That’s why we’re also not afraid to try new things – like our MOORATHON, which combines sports with wetland conservation.

Which cities are still on your tour, and what comes next for your mission after the film tour?

Alex Kornelsen: Right now, our film tour is on a short two-month baby break, but we’re already looking forward to the next screenings starting in August! Events are planned in cities like Berlin, Stuttgart, and Munich. We’ve also started receiving international requests – so exciting!

We’re still at the beginning of our mission. Our next goal, alongside our current projects, is to purchase and restore a wetland of our own – a model project that demonstrates how climate protection can work in practice. To do this, we’re developing our own sensors and using AI. We want to take wetland protection to a new, digital level.

Anni Kornelsen: Our Mission to Marsh expeditions will also continue. We’ve already been invited to show our film in Africa and North America. That would be amazing – because even after this tour, I’m still eager to explore new wetlands.

Thank you for the inspiring conversation and your dedication!

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, visit www.missiontomarsh.org