Working together for nature

In April, it was that time again: under the leadership of WWF and Cornèrcard, around 50 volunteers gathered in the Magadino Plain to help out at a local farm. A large hand-tended vegetable garden not only promotes biodiversity, it also tastes great!

Surrounded by the majestic mountain ranges of Ticino, the Magadino Plain is a core area of regional biodiversity. Here, a place where several farms grow local vegetables and supply the canton with natural vitamin boosts, one farm stands out. It shows how agriculture and nature conservation can go hand in hand, growing organic vegetables and integrating areas for biodiversity-promoting plants such as fruit trees. The result is an abundance of vegetables, including old varieties, that offer new culinary experiences. So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!

Carsten Jochem, Head of Marketing & Distribution at Cornèrcard, explains the significance of this collaboration: ​“Nature Aktiv Day is an inspiring example of how companies and their customers can work together to make a significant contribution to environmental protection and sustainability. Thanks to our 22-year partnership with WWF and the commitment of our employees and credit card customers, we are able to make an important contribution to nature conservation in the Magadino Plain today.”

Actively connecting with nature

Equipped with hoes, shovels and carts, we prepared the ground for the next sowing. Pulling out invasive plants, removing and distributing compost, planting hazel trees, clearing the leek beds of weeds and picking salad for lunchtime – hard work for our office-based bodies. The soundtrack largely consisted of raging wind and the returning sounds of native birds – a living example of the renewed biodiversity.

A culinary feast from outdoors

Our strenuous work made lunch under the old trees a special occasion. The freshly harvested 0‑km lamb’s lettuce came from the fields next door, the vegetables were from the surrounding beds and the cheese from the neighbouring Colombera farm. This colourful selection of dishes left nothing to be desired.

Breaking new ground – and then relax!

In the afternoon, we learnt more about the different crops grown by the agricultural company. While working in the beds, we were able to taste and identify the plants that were growing under our feet. We also had to use our manual skills, for example, to repair agricultural equipment and to disassemble bamboo poles that had been used for various purposes.

But by 4pm, we were done! Our aperitif was calling, and we participated in a wine tasting session with innovative products from the young winemaking team from Manimatte, who are rediscovering wine from old native and resistant grape varieties.

A sustainable end

Tired but satisfied, we moved on to the relaxing part of the weekend. Working together and the commitment of each and every one of us shows how valuable our efforts to protect the environment are. And how much joy it brings to see what can be done in a day.

Carsten Jochem reflects on the day and the importance of such initiatives: ​“Today, we not only experienced the beauty of the region, but also recognised the importance of working together for a healthy ecosystem. Nature Aktiv Day is an important tradition that we at Cornèrcard are proud to continue in collaboration with WWF.”

We can’t wait for next time!