Associated members
The Swiss Parks Network comprises seven associated members: The UNESCO World Heritages Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, Monte San Giorgio, Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces as well as the Emerald Area Oberaargau, the Parco del Piano di Magadino and the Baselbiet Nature Park project.
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch: A glorious world of glaciers
The «Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch» World Heritage property protects one of the world's most spectacular mountain landscapes, home to towering massifs, unspoilt valleys and the largest glaciated area in the Alps. The area covers a wide range of habitats, from Mediterranean-style steppe to bare rocky mountaintop, and also reveals a long and fascinating human history. (UNESCO Natural Heritage since 2001)
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona: How mighty mountains arise
The collision of Africa and Europe resulted over millions of years in the formation of the Alps. Gargantuan forces propelled rock layers over one another, folding and splitting them. At the Tectonic Arena Sardona, shared between the Canton of Glarus, St. Gall and Graubünden, you can see the result of these processes clearly. The region offers dramatic insights into how mountains are formed. (UNESCO Natural Heritage since 2008)
Monte San Giorgio: A sea of memories
Mountains that rise like pyramids, a lake that stretches its deep blue arms and picturesque villages: the stunning beauty of Monte San Giorgio's countryside is reason enough to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage property. Its uniqueness, however, stems from its hidden treasure – fossils dating back 240 million years. Back then Monte San Giorgio's rocks formed a marine lagoon in a sub- tropical region. Today, the fossil museum in Meride offers exciting insights into this mysterious world. (UNESCO Natural Heritage since 2003)
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces: A witness to ancient history
Vines have been planted here as early as the 11th century on narrow terraces supported by stonewalls. Since then, generations of winegrowers have cultivated this exceptional mosaic with great care. The cultural landscape consisting of fourteen villages is a remarkable reflection of how the area was able to thrive thanks to a well-balanced interaction between the local people and the environment. (UNESCO Cultural Heritage since 2007)
Emerald Area Oberaargau
The aim of the Emerald Area Oberaargau Association is to promote a diverse and attractive cultural landscape in Switzerland's current largest Emerald Network region. Formerly frequent and now rare or completely lost landscape elements are being restored and given new importance. Around 30 Emerald species endangered throughout Europe exist in the Emerald region of Oberaargau. The 2009-2014 regenerated project has led to an increase in species diversity and to the long-term conservation and promotion of target species (=Emerald species) - such as the dragonfly «Helmazurjungfer» and the «Yellow-bellied toad» - and their habitats. (Emerald Area since 2012)
Parco del Piano di Magadino: a whole world to discover
From Bellinzona to the «Bolle di Magadino» along the Ticino river, the Park (Cantonal Park and Ramsar site) preserves open spaces, promotes quality landscapes and improves coexistence between agriculture, nature and leisure. The territory has a high biodiversity thanks to the mosaic of environments with wetlands, canals, hedges, woods and cultivated areas. Discovering it by bicycle or on foot, you may see the Eurasian hoopoe or a roe deer along the canals or hear Italian tree frogs. Visiting a farm, to taste or buy local products, will give you the opportunity to learn more about the agricultural sector. (Cantonal Park since 2014)
Baselbiet Nature Park project
The Baselbiet Nature Park is to be created in a perimeter yet to be precisely defined in the districts of Liestal, Sissach and Waldenburg in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. Here in the sunny Table and Fold Jura of the Upper Basel region, there is an attractive cultural landscape with valuable habitats that have become rare elsewhere. From orchards, hedges and rock faces to near-natural vineyards and forests - the landscape is very diverse. Over 50 villages, some with historic town centres of national importance, are part of the area. In autumn 2024, the decision will be made as to which municipalities will become part of the «Baselbiet Regional Nature Park».