Forests in Switzerland primarily serve the purpose of wood production – they are practically protected for this reason alone. However, forests fulfill vital functions for biodiversity and the environment: They stabilize the soil, purify the air we breathe, regulate the sources of springs, and filter water. They serve as a habitat for countless animal, fungal, and plant species and even hold back avalanches. For humans, forests bring incredible health benefits by reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone), lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and more. “Forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku in Japanese) is becoming a true remedy for the chronic stress of modern life.

Protecting forests thus means protecting life on earth and ensuring a balanced coexistence between humans and nature. In Switzerland and elsewhere, forests are threatened by overexploitation, by the expansion of human activities, and now also by climate change.