Grabs SG
In the Grabs project in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, volunteers are promoting the return of near-natural mixed forests. Planting, young forest management and protective measures are creating a climate-resistant forest that can take on its protective function despite high wildlife pressure and at the same time provide a valuable habitat for rare animal and plant species.
Forest and cultural landscape
Grabs in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley is surrounded by striking mountain ranges. The forests of Grabs have been transformed into spruce-dominated, unstable stands over centuries of intensive forestry. Storms such as Vivian (1990) and Lothar (1999) caused extensive forest damage. The resulting open spaces offer ideal conditions for the reintroduction of natural tree species such as beech and fir. This return to natural diversity strengthens the indispensable protective function of forests in the long term. A characteristic feature is the close integration of the forests with raised bogs of national importance, for example at Voralpsee, which provide a habitat for rare species such as capercaillie. However, climate change and high game pressure are making natural regeneration more difficult and require targeted maintenance.
Idea and goals
The aim of the project is to develop stable, climate-resistant mixed forests that fulfill their protective function in the long term. Weakened areas are stabilized by clearing, planting tree species appropriate to the location and targeted young forest management. Fences and browsing protection secure young plants against high game pressure.
Project partnerships: Since 2003, the Bergwaldprojekt has been supporting the Grabus forestry community in the management of protection forests and the conservation of raised bogs.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. The focus of the work in the project is on young forest maintenance, clearing and planting, path and fence construction. 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 course of the week. 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 the 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
Mountain lodge Chalchofen, simple group accommodation at 1183 m above sea level.
- Mattress dormitory
- WC / washing facilities at the well
- Cold running water
- Beschränkt Solarstrom
- 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 clothes (we are in the mountains)
- Shoes
- Stirn- oder Taschenlampe
- Sonnenschutz (Sonnencrème, Sunglasses, headgear)
- Daypack, pocket knife, Trinkflasche (Thermosflasche empfohlen)
- Hand-/Duschtuch
- Persönliche Utensilien
- Schlafsack
- Gepäckstück: 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, 5:15 pm, bus stop "Grabserberg, Lehn"
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.