Val Bavona's Recovery Earns 'Landscape of the Year 2025' Title

In a remarkable testament to resilience and cultural preservation, Val Bavona in Switzerland's Ticino canton has been awarded the prestigious 'Landscape of the Year 2025' title. The award ceremony, held in Cavergno, recognized the extraordinary efforts of the municipality of Cevio and the Fondazione Valle Bavona in preserving and maintaining their cultural landscape despite facing devastating natural disasters. The Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation has accompanied the award with a CHF 10,000 prize, aimed at supporting ongoing conservation efforts in the region.

The valley's recognition stems from its exemplary display of community solidarity and dedication to preserving its cultural heritage. Environment Minister Albert Rösti highlighted the crucial role of local commitment, stating, 'Without the commitment of local people, we would not be celebrating this award today.' The Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation particularly praised the decades-long commitment of the foundation and local population to landscape conservation, which has fostered a strong community identity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Last June's severe storm in the upper Maggia Valley left an indelible mark on the region, claiming seven lives with one person still missing. The municipalities of Lavizzara and Cevio bore the brunt of this natural disaster. Despite the devastating impact, the community's response has become a model for disaster recovery and cultural landscape preservation. The tragedy has highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, as noted by Roland David, head of Ticino's forest department.

Natural hazards expert Franziska Schmid emphasizes the importance of societal adaptation and resilience building. 'We need to realise how vulnerable we are as a society and start there in order to find solutions and become more resilient in the future,' she notes. The valley's recovery efforts have been forward-looking, incorporating climate change considerations into reconstruction plans. While acknowledging that the landscape will never be exactly the same, the community's approach to preservation and adaptation serves as an inspiration for other regions facing similar challenges.