New space for biodiversity and valuable new habitat for birds is to be created on the farmland of the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment. At the heart of the project are biodiversity measures that will enhance a wildlife corridor of national importance that runs across the Zihl plain and the arable land of the establishment. Further measures shall contribute to the development of a functioning and well-connected ecological infrastructure. The creation and maintenance of the measures should also create a new area of activity for the inmates.
©
© Jan Pfister
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© Petra Horch
©
© Petra Horch
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© Marc Singer
An existing hedge.
Joint inspection in the field.
An existing tree row.
A new pile of branches.
Promoting biodiversity with the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment
Promoting biodiversity and birds on farmland belonging to the prison service of the canton of BE
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Topics
Habitat Promotion
Habitat
farmland
Project start
2024
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Jan Pfister
Project region
Bern
Details
Project objectives
According to the Red List, 48 per cent of Swiss farmland breeding birds are under threat. Projects to promote these species are therefore of particular importance. For this reason, the Swiss Ornithological Institute and the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment have joined forces to launch this project, which aims to enhance the establishment’s extensive farmland to promote biodiversity and create valuable habitats for birds. The measures that are planned also take into consideration the region’s importance as a wildlife corridor and as a resting and wintering area for migratory birds.
Methodology
According to the Red List, 48 per cent of Swiss farmland breeding birds are under threat. Projects to promote these species are therefore of particular importance. For this reason, the Swiss Ornithological Institute and the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment have joined forces to launch this project, which aims to enhance the establishment’s extensive farmland to promote biodiversity and create valuable habitats for birds. The measures that are planned also take into consideration the region’s importance as a wildlife corridor and as a resting and wintering area for migratory birds.
Significance
The Zihl plain represents the only land bridge connecting the Jura and the Swiss Plateau between Lakes Neuchâtel and Biel. It is therefore of considerable importance to Switzerland’s ecological infrastructure. In addition to its ecological value, the project opens new possibilities for the prison’s inmates. The creation and maintenance of the biodiversity-promoting areas can be planned relatively flexibly around the work on the farmland. Once they have been completed, other opportunities will also arise (e.g. maintenance of natural environments).
Project partner(s)
Employees
Species concerned
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Together with partners, we carry out projects to enhance and secure habitats throughout Switzerland in the long term.
