By employing a ranger in the Gelten-Iffigen nature reserve, the municipality of Lauenen and Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus want to inform visitors and locals about nature conservation and rules of conduct outdoors.

In order to pass on an intact nature to the following generations, it is crucial that the environment is taken care of. A region like Gstaad, a place of outstanding natural beauty, is ideal to raise awareness. To ensure that this remains the case and that unique spots and corners can be preserved, a ranger supports and informs visitors of the area around Lake Lauenen. The nature reserve in Lauenen is an essential part of the tourist offer of Destination Gstaad.

In cooperation with the municipality of Lauenen, Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus has a ranger on site for the first time this summer. Lukas von Siebenthal protects and promotes the area around Lake Lauenen and wants to raise awareness of visitors about rules of conduct.

The young local has been on duty since mid-June. Von Siebenthal is a farmer and hunter, knows the region and was already on duty last winter as a cross-country skiing trail inspector for Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus.

Getting into conversation
The area around Lake Lauenen is a protected nature reserve and has long been a popular destination for guests and locals alike. Von Siebenthal is happy when he gets to talk to hikers and he has the opportunity to enrich their excursions with anecdotes and information about the natural world.

Varied tasks, positive feedback
Von Siebenthal has been able to make many interesting observations and share his knowledge. His tasks also include visitor guidance as well as maintenance and quality assurance of the infrastructure. So far, the guests have only given positive feedback.

The pilot project was set up by Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus and the municipality of Lauenen in consultation with the nature promotion department of the Canton of Bern. The use of a ranger is new territory in the Destination Gstaad and the job specifications are continuously being adapted. Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus is currently examining whether there are other areas in the destination where a ranger would make sense

BASED ON AVS