Haslen Dry stone walls GL
In Haslen Dry stone walls GL, volunteers are committed to preserving a landscape element that is thousands of years old. The dilapidated walls are being rebuilt by hand, stone by stone. The work requires precision and muscle power. Every meter requires a lot of work.
Forest and cultural landscape
Dry stone walls were often built in the past to demarcate forests and agricultural land, as property boundaries or to terrace fields and meadows. Today, these structures, some of which are centuries old, are defining landscape elements and part of cultural history, but they also have a very high ecological value and provide a habitat for many animal and plant species.
Until the 1950s, the maintenance of dry stone walls was ensured by the landowners, as they were dependent on their functionality. With structural change and mechanization, the agricultural importance of the walls declined and their maintenance was neglected. Many dry stone walls are now in very poor condition and if they are not restored, they will disappear completely over time.
Idea and goals
The Bergwaldprojekt is committed to preserving a centuries-old cultural asset with the restoration of dry stone walls in the canton of Glarus. The reconstruction of the dry stone walls is not only intended to preserve a formative landscape element, but also a hotspot of biodiversity.
A few dozen meters of dry stone wall are being rebuilt stone by stone every year.
Project partnerships: The project is being implemented in collaboration with the local forestry company and the canton of Glarus.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and may vary. Whenever possible, work is carried out together with specialists to renovate the dry stone walls. The stones, some of which are large and heavy, are placed on top of each other by hand with millimetre precision. All work is carried out under the guidance of experienced project and group leaders.
We start 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
Skihaus Stäfa, group house at 850 m above sea level.
- Mattress storage
- Shower/WC
- Warm running water
- Electricity throughout the house
- Camping possible
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, Water bottle (thermos bottle recommended)
- Hand/shower towel
- Persönliche Utensilien
- Schlafsack, Fitted sheet, pillowcase
- Luggage: Arrival with backpack necessary (all luggage must be carried well packed in a backpack to the accommodation).
- 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.
Special requirements: The hut can only be reached by a 10-minute walk with luggage via a hiking trail.
For ecological reasons, please travel by public transport or carpool - parking spaces are not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 5:14 pm; Postbus stop "Haslen GL, Tannenberg"
From the meeting point 10 minutes walk to the accommodation with luggage.
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.