For the first time this summer, the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park carried out a week of nature work in the park perimeter in collaboration with Lonza. 60 apprentices and 10 trainers from the pharmaceutical company worked hard with nature park employees to clear bushes, combat invasive neophytes, renovate dry stone walls and create Benjes hedges.

Two weeks after starting their apprenticeship, the young trainees from the Upper Valais and the canton of Bern took to the field, where they did physical work for biodiversity despite the heat. " Raising the apprentices' awareness is part of a collaboration between Lonza and the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park, which is committed to protecting the environment in our immediate surroundings. " says Paul Briggeler, Head of Training at Lonza Visp. It was a good introduction to group life for the laboratory technicians in biology and chemistry, polymechanics, chemical and pharmaceutical technologists, IT specialists and logisticians. " Training young people is not just about imparting technical knowledge. In today's world, social, methodological and personal skills are also in demand. Working in a team, in nature, with different hand tools is a challenge for young people. Due to the high temperatures, the work in the afternoon was difficult, but the trainees proved their stamina and endurance. They learned to work together and show solidarity!" added Briggeler.

Thanks to its special habitats, the Pfynwald conservation area is home to rare animal and plant species. In order to preserve and promote these, the groups cleared bushes in the "Lichte Wälder" special forest reserve. In addition to this manual intervention, the areas are grazed so that the opened areas do not become overgrown again. The desired structural diversity in the forest promotes the biodiversity of the area. In Salgesch, the apprentices combated neophytes on a former vineyard plot by uprooting them together with their roots. Over the next few years, the plot will be ecologically enhanced to promote species in the otherwise often monotonous vineyard landscape. The first posts for a future Benjes hedge have also already been put in place. Finally, the apprentices also helped to preserve Valais cultural heritage by stabilizing a dry stone wall in Leuk and removing vegetation from overgrown pastures.

Preserving and enhancing the landscape

Twelve nature park municipalities were awarded the title of nature park of national importance due to their unique and outstanding natural and landscape values. This is intended to preserve and enhance traditional cultural and natural landscapes, promote the development of the economy in a way that is suitable for grandchildren and raise awareness among its inhabitants. By organizing nature missions, the nature park contributes to the preservation of the Valais landscape and supports its communities and population.