Project partners
The Bergwaldprojekt projects with volunteers take place exclusively with forest owners or farmers - usually on behalf of the public sector and always in close cooperation with partners such as forestry services, nature parks or local agriculture. Together, projects are implemented that maintain the mountain forest, preserve cultural landscapes, promote biodiversity and ensure the protective function of the forest
Advantages and possibilities
Together with its partners, the Bergwaldprojekt realizes ecologically meaningful, sustainable and long-term effective projects.
Thanks to the work of volunteers, work can be carried out that would otherwise often not be possible - for example, when there is a lack of financial or human resources, a lack of expertise, after damage events, during renovations or in long-term projects of public interest.
The Bergwaldprojekt builds a bridge between volunteers and experts, between urban and rural areas - and thus contributes to a deeper understanding of the importance of mountain forests and sustainable forestry. Partners can also use the volunteers specifically to raise awareness of their ecological concerns.
Core idea: The Bergwaldprojekt brings in volunteers and expertise, project partners their local knowledge and infrastructure - together, strong alliances for the mountain forest are created.
Information for project partners
- 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.