Gäbelbach nominated for the “Rivers Oscar”
Located just a stone's throw from the city of Berne, the Gäbelbach flows largely undisturbed through the idyllic Gäbelbach valley. Its unusual, natural course and the valuable habitat it provides for beavers, fire salamanders and the like led to it being nominated for the River Pearls PLUS quality label. The nomination trophy was handed over in a ceremony on 3 November.
Conferred by WWF Schweiz and the River Pearls Association, the award encourages the communities involved to embark on a path to certification with the River Pearls PLUS quality label, which honours valuable streams and rivers as well as the commitment of the people behind them.
Matthias Aebischer, municipal council director for civil engineering, transport and urban greenery for the City of Berne, adds: “Watercourses like the Gäbelbach are something of a rarity. It is really rather special to have such a treasure right outside our front door. It begs to be enjoyed, and we want to preserve it in its current state and enhance it further.”
The specially designed stone trophy was handed to representatives of the municipalities of Bern, Mühleberg, Frauenkappelen and Neuenegg and the NaturBernWest Association. It symbolises the high ecological value of the Gäbelbach and the commitment of the local people to preserving this.
Following the nomination, there is now an opportunity to have the Gäbelbach officially certified as a River Pearl PLUS. To do so, the local sponsors – as presented by project manager Gabriele Aebli – must draw up a development plan for the next five years in order to safeguard the condition of the river in the long term. Whether they go down this route or take other measures to preserve this valuable watercourse for the future is now up to the relevant municipalities.
