Dry stone walls in les Pradières
Environment
| Project | Dry stone walls in les Pradières |
| Participant(s) | Min. 8 / Max. 15 |
| Project language | German, English |
Assignment options
| City | Les Grandes Pradières 2206 Val-de-Ruz (NE) |
| Date | Possible from 20.09.2025 |
| Duration of assignment | Lasts 3 days |
The area lies on Mont Racine in the Jura mountain range. It is a popular hiking area along the Jura Crest Trail and offers impressive high pastures with distinctive spruces and steep forested slopes. The Swiss Army owns the property and operates a shooting range there. The site contains several kilometers of former dry stone walls, some of which have crumbled.
The primary goal of this project is to restore the historic dry stone walls in Les Pradières. These walls represent important elements of our cultural landscape and play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity. They provide habitat for numerous species, including amphibians and reptiles, and contribute to the ecological stability of the region. The highest priority is given to walls that are not in the immediate vicinity of the shooting ranges and whose conservation has the greatest impact on biodiversity, species diversity and the traditional landscape.
Duration:
- assignment for at least 3 days
- Start and end times are to be defined based on the assignment
Location:
Les Grandes Pradières, 2206 Val-de-Ruz
How it will work:
- The day begins with a welcome at the assignment location. After a short round of introductions, the instructor presents an overview of the program and explains why the planned conservation work is important for the natural habitat.
- Participants then learn the basics of the respective work steps and how to use the tools safely. Under expert guidance, techniques are demonstrated and practiced so that the work can be carried out efficiently and gently.
Introduction:
The introduction is carried out by conservation experts directly on site.
Support:
- You will be accompanied by experienced conservation professionals who – with their expertise, enthusiasm and keen eye for nature and biodiversity – will ensure that your on-site work is meaningful and effective. They will show you what is important, explain the ecological context and give you practical tips so that you can quickly find your way around and enjoy (tackling) the work.
- Whether you need help with handling tools, working techniques, recognizing plants and animals or protecting sensitive habitats, our experts will assist you throughout your assignment, providing individual support and answering any questions you may have.
Tasks:
- Participants can lend a hand and restore a section of a wall.
- This work demands both physical and mental effort, as you need to stack the stones in a way that ensures the structure lasts for the next 200 years.
What you’ll need:
- No special prior knowledge is required.
- Above all, it is important that you enjoy being active in nature, are open to new things and are willing to take part in practical work.
- Since we will be on our feet all day, you should have a certain basic level of fitness for physical activities.
Assignment:
Possible all year round
Team assignment:
Working in nature not only gives you the opportunity to actively contribute to preserving biodiversity but is also a personally enriching experience. Experience a day away from the day-to-day, in the fresh air and an inspiring environment. You can tackle the work with others, strengthen team spirit and be proud of the visible results of your efforts at the end of the day.
The association recommends the following accommodation:
Amis de la Nature, Chalet de la Serment, 2208 Les Hauts-Geneveys.
The Nature Network is a charitable organization and one of the largest community service organizations in Switzerland. For many years, we have dedicated ourselves with passion and expertise to the protection and conservation of nature. Arbeitseinsatz.ch is a division of the Nature Network that organizes volunteer efforts in nature conservation. Our years of experience enable us to create safe, well-structured and effective assignments, where volunteers actively help to preserve and improve habitats for rare plants and animals.