Elm, GL
In the Elm project, volunteers are working to preserve the protective forest and the species-rich cultural landscape. Through their work on the steep terrain, they help stabilize the Meissen Forest and maintain valuable rough pastures.
Forest and cultural landscape
Elm is the highest village in the Sernftal valley in the canton of Glarus. The narrow valley is surrounded by steep mountain slopes and is characterized by its long history of agriculture, livestock trading, and slate mining. To the northeast of Elm lies the Meissenwald forest, which stretches from the valley floor up to the tree line. After earlier overuse, it was reforested in the 20th century and is now a dense, uniform spruce forest. Targeted management measures are necessary to ensure it retains its protective function against rockfalls and avalanches. At the same time, many alpine meadows in the open areas are becoming overgrown with shrubs as traditional use and grazing decline.
Idea and goals
The Mountain Forest Project supports the Elm Forestry Office in managing the Meissen Forest to promote its stability and biodiversity. Through targeted thinning, light is allowed to penetrate the forest stand, enabling young trees to thrive and making the forest more resistant to storms and avalanches. Volunteers also perform manual labor in the surrounding open areas: after flowering, they mow with scythes to preserve the rich alpine flora and keep the cultural landscape open.
Project partnerships: Project partners are the Elm Forestry Enterprise and the municipality of Glarus South.
What you can expect
The work will be flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and may vary. The focus of the work in the Elm Project is on mowing species-rich habitats with a scythe. In addition, the protective forest will be maintained, clearings will be created, young trees will be cut back, and walking trails will be established. All work is carried out under the guidance of experienced project and group leaders.
We kick off on Sunday with an introduction to the Mountain Forest Project and the week’s schedule. Each day starts early: breakfast is at 6:30 a.m., followed by work. A highlight is the weekly forestry excursion in the surrounding area. In addition to forestry work, volunteers also take on simple household tasks at the accommodation, such as tidying up or doing the dishes.
Check out more photos from the project!
Organisatorisches
Tüchelboden Forest Lodge at 1,500 meters above sea level
- Dormitory
- Toilet / no shower
- Running cold water
- No electricity
- Camping allowed
Breakfast and dinner at the accommodation, lunch in the forest
- Whole-food
- regional
- seasonal
- organic
- Low meat content (vegetarian alternative available)
- Sturdy, high-top hiking boots (above the ankle) with a treaded sole (two pairs recommended)
- Work clothes, work gloves
- Rain jacket, rain pants (gaiters recommended)
- Warm clothing (we’ll be in the mountains)
- Slippers
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
- Daypack, pocket knife, water bottle (thermos recommended)
- Hand towel/shower towel
- Personal items
- Sleeping bag, fitted sheet, pillow (if desired)
- Luggage: You must arrive with a backpack (all luggage must be well-packed in a backpack and carried to the accommodation).
- Good physical condition and sure-footedness. The work may take place on steep terrain.
- Please arrive at the meeting point on time. Late arrival or early departure is not permitted.
- Participants must follow the instructions of the project staff.
- Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
- Photos will be taken during the project week and may be published in our publications. Please contact the project leadership if you do not consent to this.
Special requirements: The hut can only be reached by a 40-minute walk along a hiking trail.
For environmental reasons, please use public transportation or carpool to the event—parking is not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 3:53 p.m., PostBus stop “Elm, Sportbahnen”
From the meeting point, take the gondola to the mountain station, then walk 40 minutes with your luggage to the accommodation.
Departure: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. 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 emailing info@bergwaldprojekt.ch. We will be available on
the day of arrival in case of emergencies. The relevant phone number will be posted in the project information section of your profile shortly before the project begins.