Verzasca TI
In the Verzasca project, volunteers work on the species-rich mountain meadows of Odro, a remote mountain settlement far above the village of Vogorno. Odro is located on the slopes of the Pizzo di Vogorno and can only be reached on foot.
Forest and cultural landscape
Odro is a historic mountain settlement whose origins date back to pre-Christian times. Until the 1950s and 1960s, Odro was inhabited and farmed all year round. Meadows and arable land were scarce in earlier times, so farming was intensive and the land was worked by hand right up to the summits. The hay harvested on the steep slopes of Pizzo di Vogorno was transported down into the valley with the help of taut wires.
With structural change, increasing prosperity and the mechanization of agriculture, the use of mountain meadows and pastures that were difficult to access declined or was abandoned altogether.
Today, a family in Odro runs a small mountain farm with the native Specie Rara goat breed Nera Verzasca. Rustici are also rented out for vacation guests.
Idea and goals
The remoteness and the steep ascent on foot make farming around the mountain settlement of Odro very challenging. Many areas that were previously used very intensively are becoming overgrown with bushes. Even grazing with goats and donkeys is unable to counteract this development. The Bergwaldprojekt supports local farmers in Odro in keeping meadows and pastures open and clearing them, thus helping to preserve the traditionally used, valuable areas.
Project partnerships: The project partner in the Verzasca project is the Caprez-Häller family, who run the Azienda Montana in Odro.
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 Verzasca project is on keeping overgrown areas open. 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 housekeeping tasks in the accommodation, such as tidying up or washing up.
Discover more photos from the project!
Organisatorisches
Agriturismo Odro at 1,200 m above sea level.M
Mattress Warehouse
Showers limited possible / WC
Running cold water
Current limited available
Camping 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)
- 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
- Hüttenschlafsack
- Gepäckstück: Arrival with backpack necessary (all luggage must be well packed in a backpack and carried up 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.
- Participants must follow the instructions of the project staff.
- 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 on foot from Vogorno via a hiking trail in just under two hours (600 vertical meters). Luggage must be carried up. An appropriate level of fitness is required.
For ecological reasons, please travel by public transport or carpool - parking spaces are not available.
Meeting point: (Only with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 15:31, Postbus stop "Vogorno, Sant Antonio"
From the meeting point 10 minutes with the Bergwaldprojekt vehicle, then almost two-hour walk (600 meters altitude difference) via hiking trail to Odro. Luggage must be carried up.
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.