Aurelia Darms

Year: 2000
Profession: Forest warden, forest engineer in training
Favourite tree: Swiss stone pine
Hobbies: Skiing, cross-country skiing, climbing, hiking

What motivated you to do an internship at the Bergwaldprojekt back then?
The forest and natural hazards in particular have interested me for a long time. That's why I wanted to steer my career in this direction. The Bergwaldprojekt offered me the opportunity to gain a practical introduction to this subject area. The varied work in the mountain forest and often also the protection forest not only gave me a practical insight, but also further strengthened my interest in this area.

Do you get the impression that volunteers develop a feel for the mountain forest during their assignment?
The forest grows quite slowly compared to a human life, which is why it is not easy to understand its dynamics. In my opinion, the best way to gain an insight into the development of the forest is to spend a lot of time in the forest and make observations. This is exactly what the volunteers in the Bergwaldprojekt do. Many come without much prior knowledge and go home with many experiences. This development is definitely noticeable and enjoyable.

How would you describe the quality of the volunteers' work?
As the Bergwaldprojekt puts quality before quantity, the work is carried out very carefully. This is very valuable when it comes to planting, for example. Planting the young plants requires great care. This reduces the failure rate and increases the stability and quality of the trees, which is crucial for a healthy mountain forest.

Have your experiences at the Bergwaldprojekt influenced your professional career?
I really enjoyed the insight into some of the forestry work and working in the fresh air. These experiences motivated me to train as a forest warden. Thanks to the Bergwaldprojekt's large network, I was also able to find a great training company where I was able to spend a great apprenticeship.

What significance do the mountain forest and the Bergwaldprojekt have for you today - after your training and with your current knowledge?
The mountain forest, especially the protection forest, plays a central role for the settlement areas in the Alpine region. It protects against natural hazards such as avalanches, rockfall and erosion. In order for it to fulfill this function in the long term, targeted maintenance is necessary. The Bergwaldprojekt makes a valuable contribution through practical work. I think the educational aspect of the Bergwaldprojekt is at least as important. The volunteers not only gain practical experience during the project weeks, but also develop a deeper understanding of the function of the mountain forest.