Disentis GR
In the Disentis project, volunteers experience first-hand how protection forests are created and maintained. Between alpine nature, culture and history, they actively contribute to safety, biodiversity and open spaces by planting trees and carrying out maintenance work.
Forest and cultural landscape
Disentis/Mustér connects north and south via the Oberalp and Lukmanier passes. Today, Disentis is a popular tourist destination where history, nature and Alpine landscapes come together. The young Rhine characterizes the floodplains on the valley floor, while the municipal area reaches up to over 3000 m to the glaciers of the Brunnifirn. The forest is a mosaic of protective forest and old cultivated landscapes: Spruce dominates, supplemented by silver firs, pines and Swiss stone pines, some of which are 800 years old. Formerly heavily used, it still bears traces of hard mountain farming today. As a result of structural change in the mountain region, many farms and alpine pastures have been abandoned in recent decades and the open areas, often with a high level of biodiversity, are growing in. Storms and bark beetles require constant care.
Idea and goals
The safety of the population and infrastructure in Disentis depends heavily on the protection forest. Despite tourism and public support, there are insufficient funds for comprehensive maintenance. The project in Disentis therefore aims to plant trees at the forest boundary near existing avalanche barriers. This will create a stable forest in the long term, which will take over the protective function and provide sustainable security for the population.
Project partnerships: The project is being carried out in close cooperation with the local forestry company.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. The Disentis project focuses on planting young trees. To improve the success of the planting, terraces, known as berms, are created in advance. The young trees are cared for. Footpaths and wildlife protection fences are also being built. 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
Casa Lavineras, simple forest hut at 1990 m above sea level.M
- Matratzenlager
- WC / Waschbecken, no shower
- Cold running water
- No electricity
- Zelten möglich
Breakfast & dinner at the accommodation, Lunch in the forest
- Full value
- regional
- saisonal
- organic
- little 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 clothing (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
- Warmer Schlafsack, Pillow if desired, fitted sheet/sheet
- 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, 4:09 pm, "Disentis/Mustér" train station
From the meeting point directly to the accommodation with 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.