Between the Jura and the Alps lies a rolling corridor of lakes, farmland, and cities where two-thirds of the Swiss population lives. The Plateau is the part of Switzerland that does not appear on the postcards, and it is where the country’s ecological pressures are concentrated: intensive agriculture, dense settlement, and a transport network threaded through what was once a mosaic of wetland, oak forest, and river floodplain.
The great lakes, Geneva, Zurich, Constance, Neuchâtel, are the defining feature. They were badly eutrophied in the twentieth century, choked by phosphates from detergent and fertiliser, and their recovery through strict wastewater treatment is a textbook case of a pollution problem being solved by regulation and money. The water is now remarkably clear, though clarity brings its own complications for the fisheries.
The organizations here restore the rivers that were straightened into concrete channels a century ago and are now being given room to meander again, protect the remaining wetlands, and push agricultural policy in a country that subsidises its farming heavily and has begun, slowly, to attach ecological conditions to the money.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
31 organizations working across this landscape.
Aqua Viva
Aqua Viva is committed to the comprehensive protection and revitalization of water bodies throughout Switzerland.
Bioterra
Bioterra is the leading organization for organic and natural gardening in Switzerland. We are committed to organic gardening. We are committed to promote and preserv...
BirdLife Switzerland
Together for biodiversity - local to global
Coralive.org
Small NGO restoring coral reefs around the world
FairWild Foundation
The FairWild journey is one that spans nearly two decades, combining conservation expertise with private sector insights. Our work is focused around promotion of th...
Foundation Green Ethiopia
Changing lives of subsistence farmers in rural Ethiopia through afforestation, creating forests, providing access to water sources, beekeeping, growing fruits
Foundation myclimate
myclimate is a partner for effective climate protection and environmental services.
Giraffe Heroes Foundation
to build a community which has the power to resist change for the worse and forge real solutions to significant public problems
Girls on Ice Switzerland
Girls on Ice Switzerland - Empowering young women through science, art, and wilderness exploration.
GREEN BOOTS - Rainforests for our Future
GREEN BOOTS - Rainforests for our Future
KYMA sea conservation & research
We identify ecological relationships, networks and communicate consumer and value attitudes in order to deeply anchor a mindset of protecting our seas.
MYBLUEPLANET
Working together for a climate-friendly tomorrow.
Open Air Foundation
We combat air pollution by providing low-cost air quality sensors and capacity building to communities, and developing environmental protection solutions.
ProSpecieRara
ProSpecieRara campaigns for the genetic and cultural-historical diversity of cultivated plants and farm animals and safeguards them for future generations.
Protect Our Winters (POW) Switzerland
POW Switzerland is the voice of the outdoor community.
Pusch – Praktischer Umweltschutz
Seit 25 Jahren inspiriert Pusch – Praktischer Umweltschutz Menschen in der Schweiz, sich für die Natur, die Umwelt und das Klima einzusetzen. Wir stärken Kind...
Right To Play Switzerland
Right To Play is the leading global development organization that uses the power of play - a transformative force in a child's life - to protect, educate and empowe...
Room to Read
Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality for children. We work at scale, globally to achieve this goal.
Stiftung Pro Bartgeier
The return of the largest breeding bird species in the Alps, the bearded vulture, is the goal of our misson. We are committed to ensure that this emblematic species ...
swisscleantech
swisscleantech wants to accelerate climate protection in Switzerland. We want the business community, politicians and society to see climate protection not merely a...
Terrabiom
We regenerate lands, communities and ecosystems. From the soil up.
Terre des Hommes Schweiz
terre des hommes schweiz empowers youth in Africa, Latin America and Switzerland. Together - we strive for social cohesion, global and climate justice and a dignifie...
Verein Klimaschutz Schweiz
We build a broad and independent network in order to create new majorities for climate protection in Switzerland. We offer our supporters opportunities to get direct...
WWF Switzerland
WWF is one of the leading conservation organisations with a global reach. Its mission is to create a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.