Biasca TI
In the Biasca project, volunteers in the southern Alps are committed to preserving a unique cultural landscape. They maintain mountain forests and alpine pastures in the remote Val Pontirone, help to stabilize the slopes and prevent the encroachment of valuable pastureland.
Forest and cultural landscape
Val Pontirone is a side valley of the Blenio Valley in the canton of Ticino and belongs to the municipality of Biasca. The valley floor was opened up in the 1960s by a road that leads to Alp Cava. Up to 500 people once lived here. To this day, the villages above the steep slopes can only be reached on foot. The forests ensure the water balance, stabilize the slopes and protect against rockfall and avalanches in winter. Heavy rainfall poses a particular challenge in summer. As in many places on the southern side of the Alps, the decline in agriculture means that pastures and meadows are increasingly becoming overgrown - with consequences for biodiversity and the landscape.
Idea and goals
The Bergwaldprojekt supports the Patriziato di Biasca in maintaining the larch willow forests and alpine pastures in Val Pontirone. Volunteers keep the species-rich larch willow forests open, clear the alpine pastures and maintain footpaths. In doing so, they make a direct contribution to the preservation of the cultural landscape and the sustainable management of the remote valley.
Project partnerships: Together with the Patriziato di Biasca and the Fondazione Paesaggio Valle Santa Petronilla e Valle Pontirone, the Bergwaldprojekt implements the measures in the project.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. The main tasks in the Biasca project are keeping larch pasture forests and alpine meadows open and clearing bushes. In addition, volunteers carry out maintenance work on footpaths and infrastructure. 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 week's schedule. 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
Rifugio Giümela at 1800 m above sea level.
- Matratzenlager
- WC, Limited showers possible
- Cold running water
- Limited solar power
- Zelten möglich
Breakfast & dinner at the accommodation, Lunch in the forest
- Full value
- regional
- saisonal
- biologisch
- wenig Fleisch (vegetarische Alternative verfügbar)
- Solid, high mountain boots (above ankle) with treaded sole (two pairs recommended)
- Work clothes, work gloves
- Rain jacket, Rain pants (gaiters recommended)
- Warm clothing (we are in the mountains)
- Shoes
- Stirn- oder Taschenlampe
- Sonnenschutz (Sonnencrème, Sunglasses, headgear)
- Daypack, pocket knife, Water bottle (thermos recommended)
- Hand/shower towel
- Personal items
- Warm sleeping bag, fitted sheet/sheet, pillow if desired
- Luggage: Arrival with backpack necessary (all luggage must be well packed in a backpack and carried up to the accommodation).
- 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.
Special requirements: The hut can only be reached on foot in just under two hours (600 vertical meters) via a hiking trail. All luggage must be well packed and carried up in a rucksack. An appropriate level of fitness is required.
For ecological reasons, please travel by public transport or carpool - parking spaces are not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 14:19, "Malvaglia, Chiesa"
From the meeting point with Bergwaldprojekt vehicles to Biborgh. From there, a two-hour walk with luggage to the accommodation.
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.