New nature protection projects

Swiss National Fishing Association – Fishermen create habitats

The Swiss National Fishing Association promotes healthy waterways and species-rich habitats. The Fishermen create habitats project promotes biodiversity in small waterways through instream enhancement measures (biological engineering construction methods).

With the support of Somaha Foundation, around 1,200 meters of aquatic habitat are ecologically enhanced within three years. The project focuses on structural improvement measures, such as the placement of dead wood, rootstocks, and gravel banks. These measures quickly create valuable habitats providing endangered fish species/fish stocks protection and opportunities to return, while also increasing resilience to heat waves. Other aquatic and terrestrial animals, such as birds, reptiles, and amphibians, also benefit from it.

These measures are implemented as part of training workshops involving committed fishermen and other nature enthusiasts. In this way, practical knowledge is transferred to a local stakeholder group that can independently and professionally enhance additional sections of waterways.

More information about the project can be found on the Swiss National Fishing Association website.

Weltacker Schweiz – Weltacker - a place of learning and understanding

The association Weltacker Schweiz promotes biodiversity and sustainable agriculture by making global connections between food systems, land use, and biodiversity tangible on 2,000 m² of arable land.

With the project Weltacker – a place of learning for understanding, Somaha Foundation supports the targeted promotion of biodiversity in existing and new Global Fields («Weltacker»). The educational programs combine global perspectives with local experience and highlight the importance of crop diversity, mixed cropping and small-scale farming systems for the protection of nature and landscapes. These programs strengthen knowledge, awareness, and action competence for agriculture that promotes biodiversity. By the end of 2027, the three existing and three newly created Weltacker are to be established as permanent learning spaces that provide broad access to education for sustainable development.

More information about the project can be found on the Weltacker Schweiz website.

Pusch – Lights out, nature on! – Nature networks in the canton of Zurich protect the night

The Pusch association protects the environment and biodiversity by supporting schools, municipalities, and businesses with practical tools, training opportunities, and specific guidance that enable them to take action themselves.

The Lights out, nature on! – Nature networks in the canton of Zurich protect the night project addresses the increasing pollution caused by artificial light emissions and their impact on light-sensitive species. Together with three regional nature networks (Zimmerberg, Pfannenstil, and Greifensee) and their local communities in the canton of Zurich, effective measures to reduce light pollution in residential areas are developed and implemented.

The project focuses on developing regional dark sky guidelines and lighting concepts, establishing region-specific dark corridors, and raising awareness among the population, authorities, and businesses. At the same time, the project lays the groundwork for replication across Switzerland.

More information about the project can be found on the Pusch website.