Albert Koechlin Foundation awards nine environmental prizes
Lucerne - To mark the 20th anniversary of its environmental award, the Albert Koechlin Foundation has recognized the achievements of nine individuals from Central Switzerland this year. Each of them has made a special contribution to nature, the environment and habitats in accordance with the mission of the foundation.
The Albert Koechlin Foundation has announced the winners of its Environmental Award for this year. According to a press release, in a break with tradition, nine individuals are being recognized this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the prize, rather than awarding two projects or organizations. The award ceremony is set to take place June 13, 2025, at the Schüür in Lucerne.
Pirmin Bucheli runs an organic farm in St. Urban in the canton of Lucerne that specializes in laying hens. The farm also includes extensive pastureland that is home to a herd of beef cows. The products are sold in the farm shop. There are also water meadows, areas for promoting biodiversity and a carp pond.
On behalf of Hauptsach Natur, an association based in Dagmersellen in the canton of Lucerne, Lena Bühlmann fronts projects aimed at enhancing forests and open land. Her particular commitment is to natural springs as habitats. Lena is in the process of completing a species detection dog qualification together with her dog, Sid.
Mira Durrer is building a network for regional supply chains within a sustainable textiles industry. In this way, the head of the textile design course for higher technical colleges and lecturer in fabric design at the Basel School of Design is enabling fashion designers, interior design shops and private customers to purchase small quantities of sustainably produced fabrics in Switzerland on the basis of collective orders.
Armin Häfliger is the founder of the Lucerne-based operation meinRad. Together with his team, each day he puts together lunches and makes juices from organic ingredients that are often sourced from regional companies. The products are sold and delivered by cargo bike.
Andrea Hasler-Zehnder is co-president of the Wildbiendli-Paradies Einsiedeln association. Activities and hands-on experience days allow participants to learn all about wild bees, plants and the connection between flora and fauna.
Together with his wife Cristina and others, Sebastian Ineichen runs the Gmües Mattli vegetable farm in Kastanienbaum near Lucerne. The team operates a farm shop and offers a vegetable subscription service.
Along with his family, Jonas Imfeld runs the historic Biomühle Geuensee and associated organic farm in the canton of Lucerne. By cultivating and selling the ancient grains emmer and einkorn, as well as keeping ProSpecieRara sheep, Jonas and his family promote biodiversity.
Madeleine Michel, a vegetable grower and farmer from Sarnen in the Swiss canton of Obwalden, aims to ensure that many people can access to seasonal vegetables by way of her self-harvesting garden. To this end, she runs groups at ten different locations, with only four still having space available for the 2025 season.
Chato Schilter is the third generation of his family to run the organic llama farm Mirgg in Sarnen. In addition to producing herbal blends and teas, his team provides also space for adolescents facing crisis situations to interact with their animals.
