Landscape of the Year 2022 - Val de Ruz
Intro
The Swiss Foundation for Landscape Protection has awarded the "Landscape of the Year 2022" prize to the avenue landscapes in Val-de-Ruz. The award recognizes the long-standing efforts to restore, rejuvenate and maintain the avenues and rows of trees that give the Val-de-Ruz landscape its unique character.
A cultural heritage
Even if avenues and rows of trees do not have the same historical significance in Switzerland as in other European countries, there are also regions in our country where tree-lined paths and roads have shaped entire landscapes through their vertical structure. In this respect, tree-lined avenues are an important element of the cultural landscape that is linked to the history of transportation and spatial planning.
A landscape and natural wealth in danger
Avenues are not only an important ornamental element, but also have an ecological value as a habitat and connecting element. Lengthy neglect or even deliberate sacrifice of avenues, however, has meant that they have often largely disappeared as they have fallen victim to road widening and straightening, traffic safety, ageing trees or intensification of agriculture.
An exemplary enhancement project
In Val-de-Ruz, where the avenues or rows of trees are one of the most important and characteristic structural elements of the landscape, a comprehensive program to rejuvenate the existing avenues and plant new trees was initiated around 15 years ago. This program, in which numerous stakeholders are involved, aims to preserve, strengthen and perpetuate a unique landscape heritage that connects the various villages in the municipality.
Avenues even at altitude
In the Val-de-Ruz, the project to enhance the "Chemin des Pionniers" cultural path also includes the planting of rows of trees. In Val-de-Ruz, the theme of avenues is thus not only present in the plain, but also in the low mountain ranges.
More information
Swiss Landscape Conservation Foundation
The Swiss Landscape Conservation Foundation has been awarding the title of “Landscape of the Year” since 2011. It recognises not only the outstanding cultural landscapes themselves, but also, explicitly, the community commitment and the specific achievements of the people on the ground.
