The proQuercus association has awarded its “Prix Chêne 2200” (2200 Oak Award) to the town of Bülach (Canton Zurich). Endowed by the Audemars Piguet Foundation with 30,000 Swiss francs in prize money, this distinction rewards the creation, renewal and maintenance of oak-rich Swiss forests.

President of the Board of the Audemars Piguet Foundation, Patrick Bonfils, president of proQuercus, and Walther Bosshard, Town Councillor of Bülach

In a ceremony attended by representatives of the municipal authorities and interested spectators, Jasmine Audemars, President of the Audemars Piguet Foundation, and Patrick Bonfils, President of proQuercus – the Swiss oak promotional body – presented the mayor of the town of Bülach, Walther Bosshard, with a giant oak leaf, made from oakwood and symbolising the cheque intended for the municipal forestry department.

The ceremony took place on Saturday August 15th during an annual environment and crafts day organised by the town, an event that drew over a thousand people into the streets of the old town.

Bülach has been surrounded by oak forests since time immemorial, as is confirmed by several regional place names. Overexploited in the production of railroad sleepers, they were threatened with extinction in the mid-20th century.

In 1947, local authorities took action by replanting 170 hectares of oak trees. Thanks to rigorous management and an exemplary silvicultural policy, the Bülach foresters can now pride themselves on effectively managing the largest oak tree forest in Canton Zurich, which serves as a refuge for a number of endangered animal species.

In parallel, the Town is engaged in an active awareness-raising campaign on the urgent need to preserve the forest areas. All pupils are encouraged to plant an oak tree carrying their name during a school week spent in the forest. The local population receives regular information on this issue, enabling everyone to feel personally responsible for this precious natural heritage.

Following in the footsteps of Allschwil (Canton Basel-Landschaft) and Peseux (Canton Neuchâtel), Bülach is thereby rewarded for the excellence of its oak forest stewardship. Candidates for the 2010 award are now invited to submit their application.

Source: Audemars Piguet