Mediating between humans and nature is at the heart of rangers’ work. The urgency and importance of this task prompted three volunteers with completely different professional backgrounds to get involved. Christian Pflumio, Martin Mulberger and Julien Grosso developed the idea of the Ranger Summer Tour: an outreach project to raise awareness of the fragile balance between outdoor activities and biodiversity among hikers along important Alpine routes in Switzerland.
To this end, the three founded the ‘Bureau des Rangers’ at the beginning of the year, which Anouchka Leubaz soon joined. We asked President Christian Pflumio about the motivations, goals and successes of this volunteer ranger project.
How is Bureau des Rangers set up, and what professions do you come from?
The Bureau des Rangers is a non-profit association founded in January 2025 in Genolier in the Swiss canton of Vaud. It is led by three founding members who met during their Swiss ranger training at the Forestry Training Centre in Lyss: me, Christian Pflumio – president and former manager in the luxury hotel industry with experience in property management, wildlife photography and as a volunteer mountain hut warden – Martin Mulberger, vice-president and freelance sound engineer – and Julien Grosso, treasurer and construction manager. In spring 2025, Anouchka Leubaz, who has a master’s degree in conservation biology, joined the team.
The project is entirely based on voluntary work. It is funded thanks to the support of various environmental organisations such as Pro Natura and WWF Vaud, as well as in-kind donations from sections of the Swiss Alpine Club, municipalities, regional tourist offices and the Trient Valley Regional Nature Park. We also benefit from high-quality educational materials provided by Éditions de la Salamandre and the Swiss Alpine Club, which help us answer even the most specific questions from the public.
What are your goals and projects, and how did they come about?
The Ranger Summer Tour was imagined at around the same time as the Bureau des Rangers. We not only wanted to raise awareness of the ranger profession in our region, but also shared a desire to engage directly with nature tourism through a caring and accessible approach. On our Ranger Summer Tour, we get in direct contact with hikers along the main Alpine routes in French-speaking Switzerland. From hut to hut, we raise awareness of the fragile balance between outdoor activities and biodiversity conservation.
“We promote a deeper relationship with nature in the face of climate change, increasing visitor pressure and lack of knowledge about alpine ecosystems.”
Christian Pflumio, President of the volunteer ranger project Bureau des Rangers
In simple and open conversations on the hiking trails, we explain the threats to local species such as ground-nesting birds and Alpine flora and draw attention to disturbed habitats. We promote responsible behaviour, such as staying on the trails, dealing with waste and keeping dogs on a leash. Through all this, we promote a deeper, more respectful relationship with nature – especially in the face of climate change, increasing visitor pressure and lack of knowledge about alpine ecosystems. This format came about quite naturally, especially as I myself am a volunteer hut warden and the French-speaking region of Valais is particularly well suited to nature-based tourism.
Which are your biggest successes so far?
Our greatest success is undoubtedly the Ranger Summer Tour itself. So far, we have had dozens of spontaneous and meaningful encounters with hikers, families and children. In addition, concrete collaborations have been established with mountain huts, tourist offices, municipalities and environmental organisations. We have also been repeatedly invited to participate in regional events and appear in media articles.
“We were surprised by the spontaneity and quality of the exchanges. Many people approached us on their own initiative, out of curiosity or to ask important questions.”
Above all, we have encountered great public interest, strong institutional support and already concrete enquiries for an edition in 2026. We are also very proud to have remained true to our values: simplicity, authenticity and friendliness.
Was there anything that completely surprised you while conducting your summer tours?
Yes, the spontaneity and quality of the exchanges. Many people approached us on their own initiative, out of curiosity or to ask important questions. Children in particular were very engaged, curious and attentive. We were also warmly welcomed by hut staff and local tourism teams, which reinforced our feeling that we were in the right place.
What about the other seasons: will you offer other programmes after summer?
Yes, we are currently developing a more locally focused autumn-winter programme that includes guided nature walks, educational workshops in schools and awareness campaigns in sensitive natural areas. The aim is to continue our educational mission throughout the year and adapt our message to the specific challenges of each season, such as the disturbance of wildlife in winter.
Learn more about Bureau des Rangers and the Ranger Summer Tour: