The Alpine Network of Protected Areas
Throughout the history of humanity, the mountains have always been a symbol between our world and the afterlife; an intermediary between the tangible and inexplicable. That’s why when we get close to the summit, we have with a very particular feeling; almost a religious one!
Numerous legends about Gods, Heroes, Genesis and the end of the world have climbed these mountains and still wander through them nowadays. These stories are found in all mountainous regions of the planet.
The Alps have been and still are inhabited by people from different languages and cultures. This diversity is reflected in mountain myths. These stories remind us of how attacking the mountainous world can break the the world's natural balance.
It is thanks to this idea that the Alpine Network of Protected Areas has decided to create an exhibition under the framework of The International Year of the Mountain, which started in 2002 by UNESCO and the FAO. 34 Alpine protected areas are represented in 16 modules through this traveling exhibition. It is a recollection Alpine myths that features mythical mountains from protected areas.
Created in 2010, the display illustrates the cooperation between the protected areas in the Alps and in the Carpathians, with a map of the Carpathian Network of Protected Areas (CNPA). It also includes photographs that illustrate the main themes currently being addressed through international cooperation.
The information display is available in English and is designed for use at conferences and other events organised by ALPARC and its partners.
Dimensions when set up: 2.4 m x 3 m, umbrella structure.
Displayed at the International Year of Biodiversity event in 2010, this exhibition illustrates the Alpine biodiversity and common heritage protected by the Alpine parks and reserves.
The information display is available in five languages and is designed for use at conferences and other events organised by ALPARC and its partners.
Dimensions when set up: 2.4 m x 3 m, umbrella structure.
Presentation of the ALPARC network and a map of the Alpine protected areas.
Flyer summarizing the cooperation between the protected areas of the Alps and the Carpathians. It was published at the occasion of the organization of two workshops for the Carpathian protected areas in 2006.
The project "Renewable energies in Alpine parks" was carried out by the Académies suisses des sciences and co-financed by the l’Office fédéral de l’environnement (OFEV).
The term "park" has been chosen as a general term in all Alpine countries and refers to areas with a label linked to nature and landscape protection or sustainable development. Some examples include but are not limited to national parks,UNESCO biosphere reserves, natural sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and regional nature sites. In Austria, Germany, Italy and France, the term "protected areas" is often used as an equivalent.
On the basis of a total of 21 parks surveyed in the Alpine countries, this report shows the conflicts between the protection and use of renewable energy production. It also proposes possible solutions to these conflicts. Participating parks include 13 regional nature parks, 3 biosphere reserves, 4 national parks and one UNESCO World Heritage Site in the countries of Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and France.
What is the best way to manage biodiversity when facing new global phenomena (such as climate change) with a restricted budget? Is it always necessary to manage nature? If yes, how can it be managed in the most effective way? What should be the priorities? What criteria should be followed? Who decides on these criteria?
These are the core questions that this brochure tries to answer.
The goals of this brochure are to contribute to and participate in the debate on biodiversity and climate change in a wider and more critical way. It also aims to share experiences in the field of biodiversity protection and management of wild fauna in the Alpine area.
This brochure is divided into 4 main sections:
Ecological network for more biodiversity in the Alps
France launches the idea of establishing a European network of Alpine Protected Areas.
Organisation of the 1st International Conference of the Alpine Protected Areas in Les Ecrins National Park (FR).
Drafting of the rules for ALPARC's procedural regulations;
Official recognition of ALPARC - The Alpine Network of Protected Areas as a contribution to the application of the Alpine Convention.
Conference of the Protected Areas of the European mountains.
The Steering Committee of the Alpine Convention gives ALPARC the responsibility to carry out a study on ecological networks and transboundary areas.
ALPARC celebrates its 10th anniversary.
ALPARC’s staff becomes attached to the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention under the name 'Task Force Protected Areas'.
Official partnership between CIPRA, ISCAR and WWF on the Ecological Continuum Initiative.
With the goal of creating a genuine ecological network, ALPARC launches a large-scale project on ecological corridors in collaboration with partner organizations.
Contracting parties of the Alpine Convention, the Carpathian Convention and the Biodiversity Convention sign the Memorandum of Cooperation.
ALPARC coordinates the activities of the Alpine Convention’s Platform 'Ecological Network'.
In January, ALPARC acquires the legal status of ‘association’ in France and separates from the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention.
In February, ALPARC and the Alpine Convention sign a Memorandum of Cooperation in order to facilitate cooperation between the two organizations and benefit from potential synergies.
20th anniversary!
ALPARC launches the first edition of the international event ‘Youth at the Top’ to help reconnect Alpine youth with nature and their mountain heritage.
ALPARC starts to work on the working field 'Regional Development and Quality of Life' under the framework of the project InnovAlps and WeWild.
ALPARC leads the 3-year EU Alpine Space project ALPBIONET2030 for Alpine wildlife and habitat management and the YOUrALPS project to give structure to the field of Mountain-oriented Education and incorporate the values and knowledge of mountains more fully into practice.
ALPARC becomes a partner of the 2-year EU Alpine Space project GaYA on implementing youth participation in the Alps.
Launch of the communication campaign 'Be Part of the Mountain' to reduce the impact of winter sport practitioners on Alpine fauna.
On April 11th, the new regional platform of the Alpine Network ‘ALPARC CENTR’ALPS’ is officially founded in Nagelfluhkette Nature Park (Balderschwang, DE) to ensure a regional presence and proximity of the network.
ALPARC celebrates its 25th anniversary in Le Monêtier-les-Bains, Les Ecrins National Park.
Together with 5 partners within the project OpenSpaceAlps and with 10 partners within the HEALPS2 project, ALPARC and the project partners have successfully completed these Alpine Space projects.
The regional platform ALPARC CENTR'ALPS is present with a contact point with its own staff in Immenstadt (DE).
Alpine Space project ‘PlanToConnect’ (project builds on the results of ALPBIONET2030). Objective: Integration of ecological connectivity into spatial planning in the Alpine region.
Launch of two Alpine Space projects: ‘LiveAlpsNature’ (ALPARC LeadPartner). Objective: Visitor guidance measures for Alpine protected areas through innovative offers (OneHealthApproach) and modern digital platforms for outdoor activities. ‘AlpsLife’ (ALPARC, central project partner). Objective: Provision of methods for joint biodiversity monitoring and an Alpine early warning system for species and habitat loss.
30 years of international cooperation of Alpine protected areas within the network ALPARC.
