While people were demonstrating for the climate in various cities, more than 120 helpers were campaigning for their forest in the nature park. The Pfyn-Finges Nature Park organized the annual Wellness Day for the Pfynwald conservation area to ensure the preservation of this unique landscape and raise public awareness.

Pleasing record
What began over 10 years ago with around 20 helpers has developed into a success story over the last few years. This year, the symbolic hundred mark was broken for the second time. "We are delighted that so many people are committed to the Pfynwald conservation area. For logistical reasons, we unfortunately had to limit the number of participants to 120 and draw up a waiting list," says Anna Gersten, Nature Park employee for nature and landscape. If the number of requests continues to rise in the coming years, a solution will be found to avoid this logistical restriction. She added: "As an alternative to the clean-up day, we also organize nature activities for groups on request, such as clean-up days."

Collecting 1630 kg of waste together
On this sunny Saturday, friends and families, clubs and individuals met in large numbers and with great motivation at Leuk train station in the morning. Divided into groups, the helpers set off in various sectors of the protected area to clean up the hiking and walking trails in particular. They collected a total of 1630kg of waste. "It's incomprehensible why people dispose of fridges, computers and even tires in the forest! What they have transported into the forest by car, they could just as easily have driven directly to the landfill!" said Mélanie Morganella-Cordonier, volunteer, indignantly "Nevertheless, it is a very well-organized event in which I was able to raise my children's awareness of environmental protection and make great encounters. We had a great day and will be back next year," said the mother, who was there for the first time with her two children aged 3 and 5.
At the end of the day, the helpers were treated to a delicious lunch at the Balmen picnic area in Salgesch by Nature Park partner company Bäckerei Mathieu. This was accompanied by wines and juices from wine partner Franz-Josef Mathier AG, as well as a delicious beer from the region.
As a special highlight this year, the helpers were able to "upcycle" some of their collected waste immediately afterwards. Together with the artists from édhéa (School of Design and Valais School of Art), participants gave the waste a new lease of life and wove a carpet. Waste suddenly became a material that could be used for "something". The children taking part were particularly enthusiastic about this activity.

Valuable support
The Pfyn-Finges Nature Park has a strong partner at its side in FMV to carry out this major campaign. The energy producer invests in this event every year. The cleaning day is just one of several projects that the nature park and FMV have launched together.
The Nature Park is also very grateful to Theler AG, which provides the skips free of charge and disposes of the collected waste professionally.
With the cleaning day and the supervisory work, the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park is helping to ensure that the Pfynwald nature reserve remains what it always was and is - a wonderful recreational area for us all.