Entlebuch LU
In the Entlebuch project, volunteers in the Hilferntal valley are committed to the protection forest and the cultural landscape. They support reforestation after storm damage and bark beetle infestation, maintain existing stands and thus contribute to the preservation of stable, resilient protection forests.
Forest and cultural landscape
The Hilferntal lies between the municipalities of Escholzmatt and Marbach. In the 19th century, the forest in Entlebuch was heavily overused. The introduction of the Federal Forest Police Act of 1876 initiated large-scale reforestation, but today the forests are uniform and unstable in many places. Storm Lothar (1999) and subsequent bark beetle damage, mainly caused by the spruce bark beetle, led to large areas of damage. Regular smaller storms further expanded these areas. Today, the landscape is characterized by open forest areas and dry tree remains.
Idea and goals
The aim of the project is the sustainable maintenance and restoration of the protection forests in the Hilferntal. The Bergwaldprojekt supports the Lucerne State Forestry Office in the reforestation and maintenance of areas damaged by bark beetles and in measures to ensure the protective function of the forest. At the same time, the stability of the forests is improved and biodiversity is promoted so that the forest can fulfill its ecological and protective functions in the long term.
Project partnerships: The project works closely with the Lucerne State Forestry Office to sustainably implement reforestation, protective forest management and wildlife protection measures.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. The main activities include maintaining the protective forest, building and maintaining wildlife protection fences, caring for young trees and building and maintaining footpaths. 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
Hürnlihütte, mountain hut at 1500 m above sea level.
- Mattress dormitory
- WC / washing at the well
- Water at the well
- Kein Strom
- Zelten möglich
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
- Luggage: Arrival with backpack recommended
- 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, 4:36 pm, "Escholzmatt" 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.