14. July 2026

New nature protection projects

Somaha Foundation supports individual projects in the field of nature protection that either contribute directly to practical nature conservation efforts or require start-up funding. The following projects are being newly supported:

Association StadtNatur – Small and Medium-Sized Wildlife in the City of Zurich

StadtNatur is committed to promoting biodiversity in urban areas and works to make wildlife in the city more visible and to protect their habitats. Somaha Foundation supports the project Small and Medium-Sized Wildlife in the City of Zurich, which focuses on red foxes, badgers, stone martens, pine martens, and polecats.

The project aims to establish a long-term, scientifically robust database on distribution, population dynamics, and health of urban carnivore species, while also improving coexistence between humans and wildlife. At the core of the project is the establishment of 70 monitoring stations equipped with wildlife cameras across the city of Zurich, which are run by interested volunteers from the local community. In addition, the innovative method of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is used for species identification. The findings are incorporated into field trips, lectures, and a digital platform, thereby enhancing the public’s knowledge and acceptance of urban wildlife. By engaging a broad network of volunteers, the local authorities and international partners, the project is creating a model initiative with the potential to serve as an example for urban nature protection in Switzerland and beyond.

Further information about the project can be found on StadtNatur’s website.

J’aime ma Planète – Eco-Schools thematic kit on Water

The J’aime ma Planète association is committed to environmental education and develops programs that promote sustainable lifestyles. Through the project Eco-Schools thematic kit on water, Somaha Foundation supports the development of a practical educational tool for schools focusing on the protection of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.

The project aims to develop a ready-to-use thematic kit that enables schools to take a holistic approach to water as a central ecosystem. It adopts a whole-school approach to education: students and teachers acquire knowledge and skills related to the protection of water ecosystems; schools implement concrete measures to improve their water consumption and environmental impact; and sustainable behavior changes are embedded in everyday school life. The project’s impact extends beyond schools to families and local communities.

Further information about the Eco-Schools program can be found on the website of J’aime ma Planète.

SpielRaum / Pro Natura – Spielotope - Creating Nature Experience Spaces

The organizations SpielRaum and Pro Natura Switzerland are working together to develop nature-oriented open spaces in urban areas and to promote biodiversity. SpielRaum contributes expertise in participatory open-space design, while Pro Natura brings extensive experience in nature protection and the ecological enhancement of habitats.

The concept of Somaha Foundation’s supported project Spielotope - Creating Learnscapes combines play and biotopes by integrating spaces for exploration and recreation with ecological functions. Children can experience nature while habitats for plants and animals are created at the same time.

Spielotopes promote biodiversity and fulfill important climate-related functions: they create structurally rich habitats, improve the microclimate, and contribute to the sponge city concept by retaining water and providing cooling effects. Their participatory implementation, involving local stakeholders, strengthens the long-term maintenance and integration of these spaces. The experiences gained from the pilot sites will be incorporated into a freely accessible guide, enabling the implementation of additional Spielotopes in communities.

Further information about the project can be found on the website of SpielRaum.