Round two in the fight against neophytes

From June 7 to 9, the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation, together with its project partners Grün Stadt Zürich, Canton Zurich, SZU, SBB, numerous municipalities in the Sihl Valley and various nature conservation associations, cleared the area around the old Sihlbrugg railroad station of invasive neophytes. This follows last year's successful event. Invasive neophytes are plants that spread rapidly at the expense of native plants. With the help of vehicles, by train or via the river, neophyte seeds spread rapidly and can then spread to other locations. This is also the case at the Sihlbrugg site.

"We have clearly achieved our goal," says ranger Thomas Wäckerle proudly. The area infested by the problem plants has not grown any larger thanks to last year's campaign. Canadian goldenrod is very common in the area around the old Sihlbrugg railroad station. "It is impossible to completely rid an area of neophytes with a one-off campaign," says Isabelle Roth, Deputy Managing Director and Head of the Natural Forest Division at the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation. Most of the plants grow back almost identically the following year. Even with such efficient weeding, it takes a few years for this species to show signs of decline. "It is therefore important that we persevere and, above all, keep at it in the long term," Roth emphasizes. This year, too, the event was only so successful thanks to numerous volunteers - especially asylum seekers from Langnau and Thalwil. A big thank you to everyone involved for their commitment.

Further information

Isabelle Roth
Deputy Managing Director and Head of Natural Forest
Tel. 044 722 55 22 (head office)
isabelle.roth@wildnispark.ch