Naters, Valais
Through the Naters project, volunteers experience firsthand how traditional cultural landscapes are maintained on the Geimerhorn. By clearing brush, they actively contribute to keeping the landscape open, promoting biodiversity, and preserving species-rich pastures—right in the heart of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
Forest and cultural landscape
Naters in the Upper Valais stretches from the banks of the Rhône to the Aletschhorn at 4,195 meters above sea level and serves as the gateway to the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. On the Geimerhorn, centuries of goat grazing have created a unique cultural landscape featuring species-rich pasture forests and dry pastures that still define the appearance of the slopes shaped by the Aletsch Glacier. However, with the decline of livestock farming, the forest is expanding rapidly, causing valuable pastureland to disappear. Since 2022, the areas have been maintained through brush clearing and are once again being grazed by goats to preserve biodiversity, open landscapes, and traditional land use.
Idea and goals
Since 2020, brush clearing has been actively carried out on the Geimerhorn to preserve valuable mountain pastures. The focus is on removing savin juniper (Juniperus sabina) and creating open areas. Shrubs are cut close to the ground and piled into biotope mounds. These provide habitat for insects, birds, and small mammals. Patches of trees and shrubs, such as birches, oaks, and barberries, are intentionally left in place to preserve structure. This creates species-rich pastures that provide habitat for light-loving plants like orchids and promote ecological diversity.
Project partnerships: The Naters project is carried out in collaboration with the local forestry operation.
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 Naters project is on landscape maintenance measures such as removing small shrubs and selectively felling smaller trees. 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 lodging, such as tidying up or doing the dishes.
Check out more photos from the project!
Organisatorisches
"Alts Schüelhüs" group accommodation in Blatten at 1,300 meters above sea level
- Dormitory
- Shower/toilet
- Running hot water
- Electricity throughout the building
- Camping not permitted
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, pillowcase
- Luggage: Travel with a suitcase or bag is possible
- 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.
For environmental reasons, please use public transportation or carpool to the event—parking is not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 5:10 p.m., “Blatten b. Naters, Luftseilbahn” bus stop
The accommodation is located right next to the meeting point.
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.