Green Urseren Valley: The Andermatt Swiss Alps forest will soon be sprouting
The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group is now partnering with Verein Wald und Klima Ursern, which is carrying out a reforestation project in the Urseren Valley. In connection with the partnership, the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group is providing financial support to the association and helping out with forest work. It is thus contributing to protecting the region’s environment as well as the climate in the long term.
The Urseren Valley has a below-average amount of forest. Historical documents and findings show that large areas were clear-cut in the 11th century. Verein Wald und Klima Ursern (Urseren Forest and Climate Association) wants to change this. This is because forests have a number of benefits: They shape the landscape, afford protection, offer a habitat for animals, plants and mushrooms, ensure moisture and filter water and air. They also capture and store CO₂.
Andermatt Swiss Alps forest
In the coming years, the Andermatt Swiss Alps forest will come into being in the Riedboden district in Hospental. Under the partnership, the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group is financing saplings – predominantly spruce and larch will be planted – and forest maintenance. Particularly in the initial years, this requires a great deal of effort and at the same time is key to ensuring the survival of the young trees and in that way making it possible for a protective forest to emerge over the years. In addition, planting excursions are being scheduled, where employees of the corporate group will also personally help out with reforesting. The project relies on donations and volunteer work.
Wood as resource
Wood is also of great importance for another reason: obtained from commercial timberlands, it plays a key role as a construction material for Andermatt Swiss Alps. Andrea Müller, Real Estate Development Director, values the numerous positive qualities of the natural building material: “Wood stores CO₂, and buildings made of wood can be constructed faster. That is ideal for us in Andermatt at 1,440 metres above sea level. Wood is also a good heat insulator and creates comfortable indoor climatic conditions. Moreover, it can be disposed of and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.” For that reason, apartment buildings in Andermatt Reuss are increasingly being constructed with wood. In addition, all Andermatt Swiss Alps buildings are heated with climate-neutral district heating supplied by a power plant fired by wood chips.
Andermatt Responsible
The partnership with Verein Wald und Klima Ursern came about through the initiative Andermatt Responsible. It stands for climate-friendly tourism in the Andermatt region and has the goal of facilitating tourism operations in a way that preserves resources. The Andermatt Responsible Progress Report 2022 provides an overview of current ESG projects, key environmental figures and the carbon footprint of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Group and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG – Welcome home.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, with registered office in Andermatt, plans, builds, and develops the year-round destination of Andermatt. In 2009 Andermatt Reuss came into being, with apartment buildings, hotels, and chalets. The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group owns the The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu Reussen hotels, an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course and the Andermatt Concert Hall. A close partnership is in place with Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG (SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, the gastrobrand Mountain Food and the Swiss Snowsports School Andermatt) and its majority shareholder Vail Resorts, Inc. for developing the destination. Vail Resorts, the largest operator of ski resorts, and Andermatt Swiss Alps are together pursuing the vision of becoming The Prime Alpine Destination. In doing so, they are committed to an intact environment and a sustainable future that will enable coming generations to have an extraordinary home. During high season, Andermatt Swiss Alps and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG have more than 1,000 employees working at the locations in Altdorf, Andermatt and Sedrun.
