A week in the Bergwaldprojekt is not a vacation job for late risers.

Projects for adults start on Sunday afternoon with an introduction and round of introductions. From Monday to Friday, the day starts at 6:30 am with a hearty breakfast, followed by work in the forest until around 5 pm. Snack and lunch are taken in the forest. A half-day forestry excursion is also part of the program. In addition to working in the forest, the volunteers also take on household tasks. On Saturday morning, the tools are cleaned and maintained and the accommodation is tidied up before the return journey.

Projects for school classes and youth groups begin on Monday with the arrival, an introductory round, followed by lunch and the first work assignment in the forest. From Tuesday to Thursday, the day starts at 7:00 am, breakfast is served at 7:15 am. From 8:00 am, the young people work in the forest, supervised and catered for by the Bergwaldprojekt, until at least 5:00 pm. A half-day excursion on forestry topics is also part of the program. On Friday, the final work in the forest and the cleaning of tools and accommodation are on the agenda. This is followed by a final round before the journey home begins.

In principle, participation is possible for everyone. Forestry knowledge is not required, but a good physical condition and sure-footedness are important. Some accommodation can only be reached on foot (one to two-hour climb with luggage); appropriate fitness is required. If this is the case, it will be noted in the respective project description.

The work in the mountain forest is varied and depends on the current forestry needs and the weather conditions on site. All work is carried out under the guidance of experienced project and group leaders.

Work includes:

• (Young) forest maintenance: promotion of stable tree structures through targeted interventions; removal of competing vegetation to ensure the protective effect.
• Planting: Where natural regeneration is not sufficient, young trees are planted and cared for over the years, protected from browsing by game and cleared.
• Construction and maintenance of footpaths: Footpaths are created in rough terrain to transport tools and materials safely and to facilitate access for maintenance work.
• Wildlife protection measures: To protect young trees, fences or individual protections are erected and regularly maintained.
• Construction of tripods: These wooden structures reduce snow pressure and secure young growth above the tree line.
• Clearing: Clearing small sites favorable for regeneration and forming branch piles.
• Cultural landscape management: Keeping meadows and pastures open to preserve biodiversity in regions where traditional use is declining.
• Combating invasive neophytes: Removing alien plant species that threaten native ecosystems.

The type of accommodation varies depending on the project - from simple, remote alpine and forest huts without electricity and hot water to comfortable group accommodation. In some cases, an overnight stay in a tent is also desired.

Young people in school classes and youth groups spend the night in simple group accommodation with electricity and water.

Details on the respective accommodation are listed in the corresponding project description under "Organizational matters". It also states whether overnight accommodation in a tent is possible.

Our simple cuisine is as regional, seasonal and organic as possible, with little meat. At lunchtime, we usually serve soup or cold dishes from the forest.

Vegetarian alternatives are always available. However, vegan Food cannot be guaranteed. Any intolerances should be indicated under "Comments" when registering.

In the case of complex intolerances, the cooking staff will do their best to take this into consideration. In such cases, it is advisable to bring your own food.

The basic equipment for a Bergwaldprojekt week includes:

• clothing adapted to the mountain weather with a spare for rainy days
• sturdy and high mountain boots with a good tread sole (two pairs recommended)
• work clothes, work gloves
• good rain protection (rain jacket, rain pants, gaiters recommended)
• sun protection (sun cream, sunglasses, Headgear)
• warm clothing (we are in the mountains)
• slippers
• headlamp or torch
• daypack, pocket knife, water bottle (thermos flask recommended)
• hand/shower towel
• personal items

Depending on your accommodation, you will also need:

• Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillowcase, fitted sheet/duvet cover

You can find a packing list in the respective project description under "Organizational matters".

Depending on the accommodation, it may not be possible to arrive with a suitcase, as all luggage must be well packed and carried up to the accommodation in a rucksack (this is noted in the project description)

Participation in a Bergwaldprojekt week for adults is basically free of charge, food and accommodation are provided. Only arrival and departure as well as insurance must be organized and financed by the participants themselves.

For projects with school classes, youth groups or families, a contribution towards expenses is charged. The costs for company projects depend on the number of participants and are covered by the company.

No, for data protection reasons, no contact details may be passed on. You can exchange information with other participants in your profile on the project page. Shared contact details are displayed there. For emergencies on the day of arrival, the telephone number of the project management will be announced shortly before the start of the project

Yes, you can download a confirmation of your stakes on your dashboard

No, you cannot bring your dog with you. Please organize someone to look after your pet while you are away.

Donations are used effectively and sustainably. The Bergwaldprojekt carefully selects, monitors and continuously improves projects. ZEWO certification guarantees that funds are used for their intended purpose, effectively and economically.

Recognition as a charitable organization by Zewo means that regular checks are carried out to ensure that donations are used for their intended purpose, effectively and economically. As a holder of the seal of approval, we guarantee serious and transparent work and assure our donors that their contributions are handled with care.

The Swiss certification body Zewo certifies organizations that collect charitable donations. In doing so, the Zewo Foundation strengthens society's trust in charitable activities. Organizations that bear the Zewo seal of approval provide open information about their activities, keep transparent accounts and have a functioning external and internal control structure.

Yes. We send out a donation receipt in January of the following year, which shows cumulative donations over an entire year. This certificate can be used for tax deduction purposes.

Yes, the Bergwaldprojekt and its volunteers are committed to protecting the mountain forests and for future generations. With an inheritance or legacy, this commitment can be supported beyond your own lifetime.

➨ If you are interested & have any questions: skoller@bergwaldprojekt.ch 081 650 40 42

Yes, the Bergwaldprojekt has already received several forest areas as a legacy. These are carefully maintained.
➨ If you are interested & have any questions: skoller@bergwaldprojekt.ch 081 650 40 42

Yes, donations in kind are generally possible. However, we are reliant on the donations matching our existing stock of equipment and being standardized. For example, a single chainsaw that is not compatible with our other equipment is of little help to us, as we would also have to ensure spare parts and maintenance. If you are considering a donation in kind, it is best to talk to us first - so we can clarify together where there is a current need.

All project weeks in the forest are led by experienced Bergwaldprojekt project leaders. They have a professional background in forestry and usually work for the Bergwaldprojekt on a seasonal basis. The workplaces are supervised and managed by group leaders. Our cooks organize the household in the accommodation and cook in the projects.

Martin Kreiliger
Managing Director
mkreiliger@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Nina Pfaff
Head of Projects, Deputy Managing Director
npfaff@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Yannick Pulver
Project Forester
ypulver@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Riccardo Siller
Project Forester
rsiller@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Lukas Wunderle
Project forester
lwunderle@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Martin Sengler
Project forester
msengler@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Simon Koller
Donations, bequests and legacies
skoller@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Nicole Ulrich
Public relations, media
nulrich@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Jacinta Visani
Administration
jvisani@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Alice Voneschen

Administration
avoneschen@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Romina Tschuor
Learning
rtschuor@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Lea Fuchs
Operations Manager Trin Youth Hostel
lfuchs@bergwaldprojekt.ch

Nikola Krstic
Cook

Bettina Jäggi
All-rounder

Justine Eberherr
Allrounder

Simone Östereicher
Allrounder

Ursula Corsini
Allrounder

Ondrej Varinska
Allrounder

Benno Casutt, since 2020, President
Profession: Lawyer
Membership: Compliance Business Partner at Zurich Insurance Company Ltd

Bettina Dührkoop, since 2019, Vice President
Profession: Manager
Membership: CEO of juli AG

Beat Deplazes-Schocher, since 2016
Profession: bricklayer and businessman
Current activity: President SSES (Swiss Solar Energy Society) Southeastern Switzerland and Liechtenstein, President WWF Graubünden

Maxime Pattaroni, since 2022
Profession: Environmental scientist ETH
Current occupation: Inspecteur des Forêts du 4ème arrondissement, Etat de Vaud VD

Christa Blöchlinger, since 2024
Profession: EFZ photo specialist, EFZ mediamatician
Current occupation: Photographer and mediamatician at the agency Hü7 Design AG

Hansueli Baier, since 2025
Profession: Management consultant for the hotel and tourism industry
Current activity: Board of directors and foundation board activities

Andreas Rigling, since 2025
Profession: Forest warden and forest engineer ETH, Prof. Dr.
Current position: Professor of Forest Growth at ETH Zurich

The project weeks take place on request from April to October and usually last from Monday to Friday. The locations are various mountain forest regions in Switzerland. Before each project week, the Bergwaldprojekt project leader visits the school and prepares the young people for the week with background knowledge and information in a lesson.

The Bergwaldprojekt organizes suitable, simple group accommodation. Where possible, projects with young people take place in Trin, where the Bergwaldprojekt has its own accommodation with the Trin Youth Hostel.

The Bergwaldprojekt's cooking staff provide wholesome meals. The food is seasonal, regional, organic and contains little meat. The group helps with the washing up and keeps the accommodation clean.

• Monday:
  Arrival, introduction round, lunch and first work assignment in the forest, room check-in and dinner at 18:30.
• Tuesday to Thursday:
  Start of the day at 7:00 am, breakfast at 7:15 am. From 8:00 am, the young people work in the forest, supervised and fed by the Bergwaldprojekt, until at least 5:00 pm. One half-day is set aside for a forestry excursion.
• Friday:
  Final work in the forest, cleaning of tools and accommodation, final round and journey home.

During the day, the young people are supervised and guided by the Bergwaldprojekt project and group leaders. Teaching and accompanying staff are responsible for supervision in the evening. Bergwaldprojekt employees are trained in dealing with young people and adhere to the code of conduct for the prevention of boundary violations.

Photographs are taken during the assignment, which can be used in our publications. The teachers inform the participants about this and inform the project management if someone does not agree. Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.

Basic equipment includes warm clothing suitable for the mountain weather with a spare for rainy days, high mountain boots with good tread soles, work gloves, rain protection, sun protection, day pack and water bottle. Sleeping bags are not permitted in Trin Youth Hostel (bed linen is available); for other accommodation, please refer to the information sheet sent to teachers

A guide price of CHF 300.00 - 330.00 per person is charged for organization, meals, accommodation, tools and project personnel.

• Ecologically meaningful: Work in the mountain forest and in the cultural landscape that is ecologically meaningful and sustainable.
• Support when resources are scarce: Volunteers help with protective forest maintenance, restoration after extreme weather, long-term projects or when ecological work is not sufficiently funded.
• Work for many hands: Relief for forestry and agricultural businesses as well as nature parks through motivated helpers.
• Independence: Projects are carried out independently of the political stance of partners or volunteers.
• Quality and quantity: High-quality professional work, adapted to the project needs.

• Assignments usually last 2-3 weeks (Sun-Sat).
• Managed and planned by at least one experienced specialist from the Bergwaldprojekt with a chainsaw license.
• The Bergwaldprojekt provides minibuses, tools, board and lodging.
• Project partners provide machines, building materials or vehicles.
• Accommodation is either provided by project partners or organized by the Bergwaldprojekt
• 1-2 months before implementation, an inspection takes place with the project manager.
• Written agreement on duration, content, financing and mutual services.
• Full-day work, one half-day excursion per week to impart knowledge.
• Joint media work is organized by the Bergwaldprojekt.
• Youth projects: Weekly, spring to fall

• Planting
• Maintenance of young forests (max. Logging)
• Clearing
• Construction and maintenance of footpaths
• Wildlife protection measures
• Construction and dismantling of pasture fences
• Scrub clearance and keeping open of alpine pastures and hedge maintenance
• Construction of simple wooden boxes, Tripods or dry stone walls
• Clearing streams and gullies
• Neophyte control
• Biotop maintenance and care of nature reserves and special forest reserves

Volunteers work for the public services of the mountain forest and for a sustainable society - together with the project partners.
Project partners benefit from the work carried out and make a fair financial contribution in return, which can be adjusted according to their possibilities.

• Contribution is flexible and based on partnership, depending on possibilities and scope.
• Agreement per working day and person, optionally supplemented by accommodation, vehicles or materials.
• Alternatively, the contribution can be determined after the end of the project based on the actual work performed.

The Bergwaldprojekt brings:

• Volunteers in groups
• Guided by experienced specialist with chainsaw license
• Minibuses, Tools, board & lodging

Project partner:in brings:

• Assistance with organization on site
• Unterstützung bei größeren Motorsäge-Arbeiten
• Maschinen, Baumaterial, Pflanzmaterial
• Optional: Accommodation, additional tools, vehicles
• Any permits and subsidies

The active involvement of the local project partner is not a must, but it significantly increases the impact of the project. Volunteers are additionally motivated by good planning, open communication and appreciation. The presence and participation of project partners increases the efficiency of the work, raises awareness of their own concerns and creates a stronger connection between volunteers and project partners. Excursions can be organized by the project partners by arrangement.

Recognition and interest in volunteers' ideas and successes have a stronger effect than gifts.

Project days are organized on request and take place from spring to autumn. The duration is usually a single day. The locations are various mountain forest regions in Switzerland. Planning and implementation are carried out by the Bergwaldprojekt team. The employees work in groups of 15 to 30 people and are supervised by experts. All activities are adapted to local forestry needs and current weather conditions.

The meeting point is between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. at the nearest public transport stop. After a short introduction at the work site, there will be coffee and snacks. This is followed by forestry work and lunch in the forest. The project day ends at around 17:00.

Costs are incurred for organization, basic catering during the day, tools, transport from the nearest public transport stop by bus to the project location and project personnel, which are borne by the company. A guideline value for 16 participants is around CHF 3,500.00.

The mountain forest filters the air, stores carbon and is therefore good for the climate.

The mountain forest provides a habitat for around 25,000 different animal and plant species - many of which are endangered or rare. In densely populated Switzerland, it is one of the last green islands and a hotspot of biodiversity.

Mountain forests are closely intertwined with the Alps, pastures and agricultural land. Over the centuries, a cultural landscape of high ecological diversity and great value has been created. However, with the decline in traditional use, many areas are becoming overgrown, biodiversity is decreasing and the landscape is losing structure and diversity. This diversely structured cultural landscape must be preserved.

The mountain forest acts as a natural regulator: it prevents avalanches, absorbs rockfall, stores water and stabilizes the soil. In this way, it not only protects the Alpine valleys, but also the Central Plateau, cities and economic centers through its flood regulation. 44% of the Swiss forest has a protective function - and thus secures over 130,000 buildings and thousands of kilometers of paths, roads and railroad lines.

In addition to its ecological importance, the mountain forest is also a place of peace and relaxation. Hikers, sports enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation will find nature experiences, spirituality and a break from everyday life here.

Wood harvested from the mountain forest is a renewable and climate-neutral raw material. It is used in a variety of ways - in construction, for furniture and pulp and as a renewable energy source - and creates regional jobs in the process. In its installed form, wood stores CO₂ for decades, often even centuries.

• Participation in the training week for group leaders
• Minimum age 18 years
• Decision on assignment and responsibility lies with the Bergwaldprojekt
• For interns: in training or studying in the field of forestry or environment
• For civilians: assignment agreement required

• Performing forestry work under the guidance of the project manager
• Supervising and instructing volunteers during forestry work
• Supporting the project manager in organizing transport, tool maintenance and Food
• Assisting in the kitchen and accommodation
• Supporting in emergency situations

• Practical experience in forest work and leading groups
• Experiences in nature and in-depth knowledge of the mountain forest
• Insight into the project organization of the Bergwaldprojekt
• Participation in the training week for group leaders:inside
• Documents for group leaders:inside with specialist literature, supported by CODOC
• Support from experienced project leaders:inside
• Annual further training opportunities
• Support with forest-specific further training (e.g. B. Chainsaw course) for repeated assignments by arrangement
• Certificate of assignment for CV
• Travel allowance of CHF 50.- per project week (only for volunteers, from 2026)
• Small gift of appreciation at the end of the project season
• Invitation to the team party at the end of the season

The training week prepares prospective group leaders for their tasks in the Bergwaldprojekt. It offers an intensive but rewarding experience and deepens their understanding of the mountain forest and the work of the Bergwaldprojekt. Together with like-minded people, the prospective group leaders learn about the organizational, technical, professional and human requirements that are needed in day-to-day project work.

The 5+5 concept is used to teach basic skills and practical forestry work during the training week:

Skills

• Organization of workplace, tools, catering, Breaks and accommodation
• Emergency organization and safety in the field
• Group leadership and communication
• Driving minibuses
• Planning and implementation of forestry work

Forestry work

• Fence construction
• Planting
• Path construction
• Forest maintenance
• Clearing

Next dates

• 22.03.2026 - 28.03.2026
• 26.07.2026 - 01.08.2026

• Experience in the Bergwaldprojekt as a volunteer and recommendation by a project manager (except civilian service and interns)
• Motivation, sense of responsibility and willingness to get involved
• Open-mindedness in dealing with people
• Without or with forestry experience; manual skills and outdoor experience an advantage
• Cat B vehicle license desired