Soazza GR
In Soazza GR, volunteers contribute to a resilient, sustainable and structurally rich protection forest. Valuable larch pasture forests are maintained and species-rich alpine meadows are protected from overgrowth. Your commitment strengthens the protective function of the forests and preserves a unique cultural heritage in the Misox region.
Forest and cultural landscape
The municipality of Soazza is located in Misox GR, between Bellinzona and the San Bernardino Pass. The protection forests above Soazza are often monotonous and even-aged and consist mainly of spruce and birch. The spruce trees in particular are suffering greatly from climate change - a forest fire recently destroyed around 120 hectares of protective forest at the end of 2016. In order to continue to fulfill their important protective function in relation to the village and the busy A13 motorway, they urgently need to be mixed and adapted to climate change.
The chestnut groves near the village, as well as the extensive alpine areas at the upper forest boundary, provide valuable habitats for a variety of different animal and plant species and require continuous maintenance.
Idea and goals
The aim is to stabilize the protection forest above the village in the long term by planting and carefully maintaining sustainable tree species and protecting them from browsing by game. In various alpine areas and in the chestnut groves near the village, targeted maintenance measures are being taken to promote local biodiversity. Through scrub clearance, pasture clearing and the restoration of pasture forests, diverse structures are being promoted in these valuable habitats.
Project partnerships: Together with the local forestry company and the Fondazione Paesaggio Mont Grand foundation, the Bergwaldprojekt ensures that forests and cultural landscapes remain secure in the long term.
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 Soazza project is on work that benefits both the protective forest and the cultural landscape. The main work in Soazza is young forest management, maintenance of wildlife protection fences, clearing and scrub clearance. 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 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
Centro Didattico Nosal, simple accommodation in converted rusticos at 700 m above sea level.
- Matratzenlager
- Dusche/WC
- Warm running water
- Electricity throughout the house
- Camping possible
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, Water bottle (thermos bottle recommended)
- Hand/shower towel
- Personal items
- Schlafsack
- Gepäckstück: Arrival with suitcase or bag possible
- 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, 16:44, Postbus stop "Soazza, Stazión"
From the meeting point, a 30-minute walk to the accommodation. Luggage will be transported from the meeting point to the accommodation with the 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.