Bergwaldprojekt seeks volunteers for 2022
The Bergwaldprojekt is looking for volunteers to work in Swiss forests. The aim is to care for and preserve threatened mountain forest areas.
Forestry laypeople venture into the mountain forests and carry out volunteer work.
Accompanied by experts, they build fences around young trees so they can grow tall and strong, construct tripod frames to prevent snow creep, clear pastures of shrubs to make grazing areas usable again, and much more: that is the Bergwaldprojekt.
Every year, more than 2’000 volunteers lend a helping hand to keep mountain forests and the cultural landscape of the alpine region strong and diverse. They support local forestry services in completing work that would otherwise go undone. Climate change is creating additional workload that forestry services alone can barely manage anymore.
«The combination of professionals and laypeople is incredibly exciting», says district forester Thomas Tschuor from Soazza GR. The municipality has been a long-standing project partner of the Bergwaldprojekt and values the collaboration with volunteers from all parts of the country, all professions, and all age groups.
A remarkable 90,000 hours of voluntary work were contributed through the Bergwaldprojekt across Switzerland in 2021.
For 2022, the Bergwaldprojekt has once again put together a rich programme. You can choose from more than 150 project weeks, selecting where and when you would like to contribute to the mountain forests and cultural landscape of Switzerland. Work will again take place at more than 40 locations across Switzerland: new this year, you can also help enhance a dry habitat in Val Müstair GR, or care for protective forests together with your family in Glarus Süd.
Join the Bergwaldprojekt in 2022 and roll up your sleeves: let's strengthen the mountain forests together!
Those interested can register directly at www.bergwaldprojekt.ch for a project week.
During a one-week working deployment in mountain forests, women and men aged 18 to 88 work under professional guidance to care for and preserve a protective forest or cultural landscape. Together they carry out forestry work and deepen their knowledge of nature and ecological connections. Accommodation is in simple lodgings within the working area, and meals are regional, seasonal, and organic. Schools and companies are also welcome. Further information can be found at www.bergwaldprojekt.ch
