New nature protection projects

Nature & Economy Foundation – More nature on your doorstep

The Nature & Economy Foundation is committed to protecting and promoting biodiversity in urban areas. Through the project More Nature on Your Doorstep it provides targeted support to municipalities in enhancing local biological diversity. As part of this initiative, municipalities receive expert guidance on the nature-oriented improvement of private gardens and public spaces. Gardens and school grounds that are already designed in a nature-friendly and biodiversity-rich way are also awarded the Garden of the Future label and re-certified every three years.

The project creates impact by establishing nature-friendly habitats within residential areas, raising awareness and activating local communities, and contributing to improved health, safety, and quality of life. At the same time, biodiversity hotspots and corridors are created, strengthening habitat connectivity and supporting biodiversity in the long term.

More information about the project can be found on the Nature & Economy Foundation website.

Fondation du Centre Ecologique Albert Schweitzer – ProBio

The Centre Ecologique Albert Schweitzer (CEAS) is a Swiss foundation dedicated to building a fairer world that cares for living beings. The ProBio project promotes the preservation and strengthening of biodiversity in Madagascar through a combination of organizational, technical, and ecological support.

The aim of the project is to use natural resources sustainably while improving agricultural income. Five agricultural cooperatives, with up to 200 members, receive training in business management and economics to improve their market position and act as multipliers within their communities. These are also trained in agroecological farming practices. In addition, up to 300 producers are sensitized to the consequences of biodiversity loss and possible ecological and agricultural solutions to this problem. The promotion of agroforestry, mixed cropping, biological pest control, and soil conservation contributes directly to the restoration and protection of biodiversity. The training and support activities are designed to enable the cooperatives to apply and further develop the acquired knowledge independently over the long term.

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

Jurapark Aargau – Firefly conservation in Jurapark Aargau

Jurapark Aargau is committed to the sustainable development of its park area, which includes 31 municipalities. With its firefly conservation project, it focuses on the promotion of nocturnal species and the importance of natural darkness. The project systematically maps the occurrence and distribution of two species of fireflies (Lampyris noctiluca and Lamprohiza splendidula) in at least ten municipalities within Jurapark Aargau.

The aim is to preserve existing dark habitats and gain a better understanding of their ecological significance. Fireflies are valuable indicator species for structurally rich, extensively farmed, and naturally dark habitats. In addition, a firefly-friendly location is being created as a model to demonstrate best practices for habitat enhancement. Targeted awareness-raising activities sensitize the park community's population to the importance of natural darkness at night and the promotion of light-sensitive species.

More information about the project can be found on the Jurapark Aargau website.