We all have good reason to celebrate: for 20 years, the ewz naturemade star fund has invested every additional centime that our customers pay for the ewz.pronature electricity product into the renaturation of Switzerland’s waterways.
The naturemade star label
naturemade star is the Swiss label for green power from hydroelectric and other renewable sources like sun, wind and biomass. The seal comes with stringent conditions to ensure the least possible disturbance to plant and animal life near certified power plants. The naturemade star label is issued by the Association for Environmentally Sound Energy (VUE), which receives support from Pro Natura, WWF Switzerland and many other associations and companies.
Fund for environmental improvements
This label confirms our commitment to an intact environment and climate action. We operate five certified power plants which produce around 400 gigawatt hours of green power from hydroelectric sources each year. For every kilowatt-hour of green power sold we put CHF 0.007 into our naturemade star fund, which adds up to CHF 4 million each year for environmental improvements. This allows us to support the renaturation of waterways and improve exceptional habitats for flora and fauna.
Application for the naturemade star fund
Are you planning a revitalisation project or other form of environmental upgrade? Our naturemade star fund supports projects that improve waterways and other rare habitats*.
Documents for your application:
- Completed application form
- Technical report including cost estimate
- Project plans
- Statements from specialist authorities if available
The best approach is to discuss your project with the relevant local authority and cantonal offices before you begin. Applications are reviewed by steering committees which meet twice a year to decide on funding applications. Submission deadlines are 14 April and 30 November.
* Actions required by law, such as replacement measures, are not eligible.
Start/end
2017/2019
Project
No fewer than five new ponds for amphibians have been created on the floor of the Cazis valley in the Viamala region. These picturesque bodies of still water are sealed with sheeting and fed solely by rainwater, with no inflow or outflow.
Biodiversity
The ponds offer a habitat for rare and even endangered species – amphibians, reptiles, dragonflies and aquatic plants. Together with the Sagenlöser and Munté wetlands, they provide valuable stopovers for migrating amphibians, helping to connect habitats. Hopefully the common toad, currently on the red list of threatened species, will soon find a new home here.
Funding
Total cost: CHF 700,000
Contribution from the naturemade star fund: CHF 600,000
Start/end
2011/2014
Project description
The renaturation of a 1.8-kilometre stretch of the River Limmat between the Höngg weir and the Oberengstringen city limits improves flood protection and creates new habitats. The 320-metre adventure walkway through the protected Werdhölzli forest provides an additional attraction in this superb recreational area.
Biodiversity
The regeneration of the flood wall protects Oberengstringen from flooding, while the renaturation of wetlands along the Limmat increase the quality of the river landscape. Gravel islands ensure varying current patterns and new ecosystems for the plant and animal species typical of these wetland landscapes (such as the grayling, which spawns in gravel, and the endangered nase fish). This also creates new habitats for trees such as willows, sedges, black poplars and sea buckthorns – as well as dragonflies, grasshoppers, dippers and yellow-bellied toads. Levelled banks offer visitors access to the water.
Funding
Total cost: CHF 9.4 million
Contribution from the naturemade star fund: CHF 552,045
Start/end
2012/2013
Project
The Chly Rhy in Rietheim is the largest wetlands renaturation project in the Aargau. The area is located on a free-flowing section of the Rhine. Among the outcomes of the project are 1.5 kilometres of flowing water, around 1.5 hectares of still water and 1 hectare of reed marshes typical of the region.
Biodiversity
Wetlands are among the most biodiverse natural environments, distinguished by their dynamism as well as the interplay of water, flow rate and land. In the densely populated water canton of Aargau, wetlands are important for people as well, as they offer a natural setting for recreation. There is around 1 kilometre of new walkways and two observations points with views of areas given over to nature, offering sightings of kingfishers and beavers.
Funding
Total cost: CHF 9.4 million
Contribution from the naturemade star fund: CHF 1.5 million
Start/end
2014/2015
Project
The regeneration of the Chriesbach, a stream that runs through Dübendorf, encompasses a 930-metre stretch of waterway from the outlet into the River Glatt up to the Chriesbachbrücke (bridge). The bank structures were based on the original waterway morphology.
Biodiversity
The stream regeneration offers local residents access to the waterway and creates an attractive recreation area. The Chriesbach also serves as an open-air laboratory for training and other activities of the ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology. The new barriers on the river bed create various currents, providing habitats for a range of species.
Funding
Total cost: CHF 3.3 million
Contribution from the naturemade star fund: CHF 500,000
Start/end
2019/2020
Project
A new wetlands area of around 20 hectares was created near the village of Reussegg in the Sins (AG) municipality. Wetlands are among the most biodiverse habitats in the world. The goal is to re-establish them and improve the quality of the landscape. After the works the wetlands will be extensively managed by Reussegg farmers to ensure the future of these wetland habitats. They will primarily serve as pastures for water buffalo and robust cattle breeds.
Biodiversity
The primary element of the wetlands regeneration is the construction of a network of side channels around 700 metres long, which depending on water levels will be fed by the Reuss. Over the coming decades this will result in a natural transformation with ponds, wetland meadows and dry areas.
Funding
Total cost: CHF 10 million
Contribution from the naturemade star fund: CHF 1.9 million
