St. Stephan BE
In the St. Stephan project, volunteers in the upper Simmental are committed to preserving the mountain forest and cultural landscape. The landscape, but also the people, are shaped by centuries of agricultural activity. By maintaining alpine pastures and restoring streams, gullies and footpaths, the volunteers of the Bergwaldprojekt contribute to the preservation of this unique landscape.
Forest and cultural landscape
St. Stephan lies at the end of the Simmental valley, below Lenk, where the Simmen Falls carry water from the Wildstrubel down into the valley. Over 90% of the forest in the Upper Simmental between Zweisimmen and Lenk is protective forest. They prevent erosion, rockfall and avalanches and store water during heavy rainfall. The region is characterized by a diverse mosaic of pastures, alpine areas, meadows and forests with high biodiversity. Due to the decreasing number of farms, unused areas are increasingly encroaching. Maintenance measures are necessary to preserve biodiversity and the protective function in the long term.
Idea and goals
The aim of the project is the long-term preservation and ecological enhancement of the species-rich cultural landscapes in the upper Simmental. Together with local partners, the Bergwaldprojekt supports complex work that is central to the protection and management of the region. This includes the clearing of species-rich pastures, the restoration of watercourses and gullies and the maintenance of protective forest areas. These measures promote biodiversity and stabilize the terrain in the long term.
Project partnerships: The project is being implemented together with the municipality of St. Stephan, local farmers, farming communities, alpine corporations and the forestry company
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and can vary. The main tasks include clearing species-rich pastures, restoring and cleaning watercourses and canals as well as building and maintaining footpaths. 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 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
Group accommodation Alpina at 1000 m above sea level.
- Multi-bed room
- Shower/WC
- Warm running water
- Electricity throughout the house
- Camping not possible
Breakfast & dinner at the accommodation, Lunch in the forest
- Full value
- regional
- saisonal
- biologisch
- wenig Fleisch (vegetarische Alternative verfügbar)
- Feste, high mountain boots (above ankle) with treaded sole (two pairs recommended)
- Rubber boots
- Work clothing, 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, Drinking 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, 17:18, "Matten i.S." train station (train from Zweisimmen to Lenk i.S.)
A few minutes' walk from the meeting point to the accommodation in the village
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.