International Ranger Day and our forest professionals
The protection of nature worldwide, but also in this country, can only be successful if we succeed in awakening visitors' understanding of natural processes and the unique natural forest system. After all, those who know and understand nature are also happy to protect it. In the film, our ranger Nicole Aebli explains how the work of the Sihlwald rangers is currently changing and what the two biggest challenges are for them in the Sihlwald.
"Since the coronavirus outbreak and the associated lockdown, many more people have been out and about in nature and therefore also in Sihlwald. Many visitors who are visiting Sihlwald for the first time are not yet familiar with the rules of the protected area, or not familiar enough," reports Nicole Aebli. For the four Sihlwald rangers, this therefore means more educational work on site.
The second challenge is the many storms in recent months, says Aebli. "After a storm, we walk all the paths in Sihlwald and make the blocked areas accessible again," she reports, adding that this work in the extensive forest area can take several days. "In a nature discovery park, where nature conservation and the visitor experience are so close together, a storm is both a curse and a blessing," explains Aebli. In the context of so-called process protection, a storm is a welcome event for the emerging forest wilderness: the plants find new areas to colonize and dead wood is created, the whole cycle of the natural forest remains in motion.
"Stay alert and help us by being mindful, enjoying the forest and following the rules". The ranger addresses this request to our visitors. Follow the rules. Please. All of you.
