Bedretto TI
In the Bedretto project, volunteers in the upper Val Bedretto and in Airolo are committed to preserving protection forests, alpine meadows and larch pasture forests. They maintain species-rich areas, support reconstruction after storm and weather damage and generally carry out measures to stabilize the protection forest.
Forest and cultural landscape
The municipality of Bedretto lies at the upper end of the Leventina and extends as far as the Nufenen Pass. Airolo, at the foot of the Gotthard Pass, is an important transportation hub. The area is very snowy and there is often a high risk of avalanches in winter. The forests, both in Val Bedretto and in Airolo, are exposed to extreme conditions, but perform key protective functions: In Airolo, they protect the village and infrastructure. A hurricane in 2020 caused massive damage and destroyed almost the entire forest. Short and long-term measures are needed to restore safety. In Val Bedretto, open larch forests characterize the landscape and are home to a high diversity of species. Due to the decline in alpine farming and agriculture, these valuable areas are becoming increasingly overgrown.
Idea and goals
The Bergwaldprojekt supports the Patriziato di Bedretto and Patriziato di Airolo with maintenance and protection measures. In Val Bedretto, the focus is on keeping the species-rich larch pasture forests open and clearing bushes in order to safeguard traditional alpine farming and biodiversity. In Airolo, the focus is on rebuilding and maintaining the protection forests, especially the areas damaged by the 2020 storm. The aim is to preserve the ecologically valuable landscapes and the protective function of the forests in the long term.
Project partnerships: The project partners are the Patriziato di Bedretto, the Patriziato di Airolo and the local forestry service.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. In Val Bedretto, larch willow forests are kept clear: Spruce and green alder trees are removed and the wood is piled up to form habitat islands for insects, birds and small animals. In Airolo, the work includes the maintenance of the protection forests, the construction and maintenance of footpaths, the erection of tripods, planting and measures to prevent damage caused by game. All work is carried out under the guidance of experienced project and group leaders.
The week starts on Sunday with an introduction to the Bergwaldprojekt and the course of the week. The days start early: breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m. and then the work begins. One highlight is the weekly forestry excursion in the surrounding area. In addition to forestry work, volunteers also take on simple household tasks in the accommodation, such as tidying up or washing up.
Discover more photos from the project!
Organisatorisches
Group accommodation at 1550 m above sea level.
- Mehrbettzimmer
- Shower/WC
- Warm running water
- Electricity throughout the house
- Camping possible
breakfast & dinner at the accommodation, lunch in the forest
- Full-value
- regional
- seasonal
- biologisch
- less meat (vegetarian alternative available)
- Feste, high mountain boots (above ankle) with treaded sole (two pairs recommended)
- Work clothes, work gloves
- Rain jacket, Rain pants (gaiters recommended)
- Warm clothes (we are in the mountains)
- Shoes
- Stirn- oder Taschenlampe
- Sonnenschutz (Sonnencrème, Sunglasses, headgear)
- Daypack, pocket knife, Drinking bottle (thermos bottle recommended)
- hand/shower towel
- Persönliche Utensilien
- Schlafsack, Fixed sheet/ fitted sheet, pillowcase
- Luggage: Arrival with suitcase or bag possible
- Good physical condition and sure-footedness. The work may take place on steep terrain.
- Punctual arrival at the meeting point. Late arrival or early departure is not possible.
- The instructions of the project staff must be followed.
- Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
- Photographs will be taken during the project week and may be published in our publications. Please contact the project management if you do not agree to this
For ecological reasons, please travel by public transport or in carpools - parking spaces are not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 17:32, Postbus stop "Cioss Prato (Bedretto)"
From the meeting point, a 15-minute walk to the accommodation. Luggage will be transported from the meeting point to the accommodation with the mountain forest project vehicles.
Departure: Saturday, 11:00 am from the meeting point.
Registration is binding. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration immediately by calling +41 (0)81 650 40 40 or info@bergwaldprojekt.ch.
In case of emergencies, we can be contacted on the day of arrival. The relevant telephone number will be posted in the project information in your profile shortly before the start of the project.