Volunteers to improve biodiversity in pastures

Ten volunteers activated for six days in August at the Chalet-Vieux de Culan above the Diablerets. However, This pro Natura Vaud camp aimed to clean the meadows of alders and spruces that tend to invade pasture areas. Nevertheless, A way also for participants to recharge their batteries far from civilization. In addition, – Volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new

(Keystone-ATS) Located two good hours from the Vaudois Alpes station, at an altitude of 1,700 meters, the Chalet-Vieux de Culan field has belonged volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new to Pro Natura since 1974. Furthermore, The Nature Protection Association has been rented for ten years this protected area to a peasant who continues to exploit it in summer. Meanwhile, says Markus Arn, project manager at Pro Natura Switzerland and coordinator of the camp.

During the week. Moreover, participants – five Germans, three Germans and two Romandes between 20 and 70 years old – are hosted in a dormitory of the old pasture cheese dairy which has not been used for 20 years. Consequently, Everyone participates in the costs up to some 200 francs per person.

“You have to register early to participate in these camps which are a certain success, especially across the Röstigraben. Consequently, Demand goes far beyond supply, ”underlines Mr. Moreover, Arn.

At the Chalet-Vieux de Culan. Nevertheless, the development is spartan: a common dormitory under the roofs, no electricity, toilets and shower “with hot water” outside. On the other volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new hand, the team is fortunate to have a volunteer cook. “No need to eat after work,” said Urs, a retired Zurich volunteer.

Sisyphe work – Volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new

Just above the Chalet-Vieux de Culan. next to the herd of around thirty nursing cows, their young and a bull, volunteers, bandanas or caps on their heads, are busy cutting the bush of Aulnes and the fir trees that garnish the well-stered pasture. “Sisyphus work,” comments Mr. Arn.

Alder is a shrub with dark green oval leaves, which measures 3 to 4 meters high. It develops from 1100 meters above sea level. up to the Alpine Forest limit, joking in the avalanche corridors and the Torrents beds, explains the manager. Problem: it spreads at high speed. Its advance leads to the scarcity of plants, insects and birds, without counting soil acidification.

By hand

In the nature reserve. it is a question of cutting these bushes, sometimes in scree, “a volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new task not always easy. The more you cut it. the better, because over time it becomes more and more difficult to eliminate, ”notes the coordinator.

“Goats are sometimes used,” he adds. “When they are hungry, they indeed devour the shoots and bark of Aulnes, thus causing the death of the shrub. But it would take an electrified enclosure to cloister them. Here, everything is done by hand ”.

Unattractive for cattle

Stunning on steep slopes. dispersing on the edge of a torrent, the volunteers cut the bush of alders by means of large and heavy pliers. To debit the isolated spruces – which are also well with the alders – they use small saws.

“The forest is expanding in Switzerland. open and semi-open pastures are of great importance for a lot of animal and plant species. The areas too invaded by vernes and spruces become less attractive for cattle that no longer grazes. volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new This work prevents them from closing too much, ”observes Kelly Delavy, responsible for nature reserves with Pro Natura Vaud.

Relief for the peasant

The action to contain burst on this pasture has been organized for over ten years. “The volunteers relieve us enormously of all these small works that we do not have time to do in summer. which falls to us in autumn after the quenching,” underlines Pascal Güttinger, the farmer who praises the land in Pro Natura and whose main alpine is at Etivaz.

“Ten times seven to eight hours a day (Wednesday being a rest day). it is not nothing in a time of the year when we are very busy,” he slips.

Empty your head

Cindy, a young Valais geology student, participates for the first time in such a camp. It experiences “a certain satisfaction in carrying out a monotonous task and outside. Additionally, It’s physical and it helps volunteers improve biodiversity pastures new to realize the daily life of a farmer, ”she says.

And to underline the good atmosphere that reigns between the members of the group who did not know each other. before the experience. “You don’t even have to turn on her laptop,” she smiles.

“Each time. the experience is enriched,” says Marie-Andrée, the Alsatian volunteer who prepares vegetarian meals for the whole team and who admits to keep some bacon in the reserve. Accustomed to these camps, she says she is thrilled by “this Spartan lifestyle, far from civilization”.