The proQuercus association has awarded the “Chêne 2200” prize to the village of Peseux in Canton Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Endowed by the Audemars Piguet Foundation with CHF 30,000 in prize money, this award honours the creation, the renewal and the stewardship of oak-rich Swiss forests.

Patrick Bonfils, President of  proQuercus, Jasmine Audemars, President of the Board of the Audemars
Piguet Foundation and Thierry Daenzer, Town Councillor in charge of the Peseux municipal forests

 
In a ceremony attended by federal, cantonal, forest and local authorities, Jasmine Audemars, President of the Audemars Piguet Foundation, presented a giant oak leaf made of oak wood and symbolising the cheque donated to the forestry department of the village of Peseux. She then unveiled the didactic signboard created by the municipal foresters.
 
As president of the proQuercus organisation dedicated to promoting the Swiss oak, Patrick Bonfils explained the choice of Peseux from among 16 top-level candidates in these terms: “The stewardship of the local forests around Peseux is distinguished by exemplary mastery of the natural, cultural and patrimonial values relating to the oak. The village has developed oak forestry methods that promote the extraordinary biodiversity associated with this species, while supplying the market with high-quality oak wood.

 
Guided by the foresters and by Pierre-Henri Barrelet, who is responsible for the village forest areas, participants than visited the site and witnessed the planting of two oak trees by the promoters of the award.
 
The local population was associated in the event by an “open forest” day combining a didactic walk and the planting of oak trees dedicated to each of the children born in the village during 2008.
 
The 2007 prize had been awarded to the town of Allschwil (Canton Basel-Countryside). Candidates for the 2009 award must submit their candidacy file at the end of the year.

Source: Audemars Piguet Foundation