The Alpine Network of Protected Areas
With the project "Walking through the clouds" the National Park Gran Paradiso promotes soft mobility through the regulation of motorized traffic on the road to the Nivolet in the summer and encourages walking, cycling and shuttle use.
On the weekends from 7 July to 25 August 2013, the road from the village SERRU to the pass is closed for private car transport. An opportunity to bike, walk or take the shuttle bus to explore a part of this paradise.
The Nivolet is a wonderful plateau of bogs and wetlands at 2,500 meters above sea level, drawn by the meanders of the Dora. It is the habitat of the ibex, chamois, marmots, ermines, foxes, migratory and resident birds and rare plant species.
As a popular destination for cyclists and hikers to enjoy the Nivolet, it changed - especially in the summer Sundays - more and more into a huge car park at high altitude. In the aim to create an alternative to this alienation, incompatible with the objectives of a national park, this project, which also includes the revitalization of the entire area with high-quality tourist services, was launched in 2003.
Turn off the engine and listen to the mountains - The program 2013
Situated between the high Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, the Vanoise National Park is home to high mountains, rising to more than 3, 000 m, on which many glaciers remain. There are also valleys which open onto wide, easily accessible passes.
The variety of its rocks (calcareous, gypsum, sandstone, quartzite, shale, mica schist, gneiss…), linked to a very complex geological structure, the altitudinal range, its position at the intersection of different climates, contributes to the remarkable wealth of geology, flora and fauna of the massif.
Natural wealth
The Vanoise massif is a unique habitat not only for ibex, chamois and eagle, but also for many other animal and plant species, whether in the heart of the park or in its optimal partnership zone.
For example, among the flowering plants, certain French species grow only in the Vanoise National Park. (One example is the Gentiana utriculosa).
The protection of species and their habitats begins by the acquisition of knowledge and the implementation of plans of action. Not only does the park ranger make a great number of observations during his rounds, he is also at the origin of numerous inventory and monitoring programmes, the protocols of which he works out with the scientific council or in conjunction with the other national parks.
Thousands of data have been collected during these programmes, which also help to better understand developments.
Beyond this natural wealth, the National Park also has a rich culture, especially through the built and religious heritage (particularly chapels in high altitude pasture) and the “Road of salt and cheese” between Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Termignon.
The park is involved in the restoration and valuation of the built heritage (implementation of knowledge and use of traditional materials).
Vanoise also has a dynamic pastoral activity, driven by the Beaufort cheese, which is typical of the National Park's character. The support for this activity is in the centre of the actions of the Park.
The Vanoise National Park offers many opportunities for walks and long hikes with a network of almost 500 km of marked paths and “discovery trails” of the natural environment, some of which are accessible to those with motor disabilities. The Park also offers hikes adapted to the motor and visually impaired.
It was the first French park (created in 1963) and so this year celebrates its 50th birthday . In this special year and in addition to the celebration of this birthday, the Park also organized and hosted the Danilo Re trophy and saw the creation of the .Alparc association
It constitutes, with its neighbour the Gran Paradiso national park, one of the largest protected areas in Western Europe, with 1, 250 km2.The two parks have been twinned since 1972 and in 2012 they were given the joint renewal of the European Diploma delivered by the Council of Europe which establishes the quality of management of the protected areas.
The site http://www.parcnational-vanoise.fr gives the references of all the specialized publications and a complete description of the protected area.
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Fact Sheet |
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Name of the protected area |
Vanoise National Park |
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Name of administrative body (if different) |
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Country |
France |
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Surface area (ha) |
53,500 ha (Peripheral zone 145,000 ha) |
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Year of creation |
1963 |
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IUCN Category (-ies) |
II in heart zone and V in PZ |
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Legal status |
Public institution |
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Region(s) covered |
Rhône Alpes |
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Number of communes |
28 |
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Lowest point (altitude) in m 1, 000 |
1,280m in heart zone |
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Highest point (altitude) in m |
3,855m - (la Grande Casse) |
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Inhabited/uninhabited (if so, population) |
no |
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Surface area in forest |
5 km² in heart zone |
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Surface area in glaciers |
53 km² in heart zone |
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Surface area in pastures (including alpine pastures) |
325 km² in heart zone |
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Main types of landscape |
Pastures, rocks and glaciers (high mountains) |
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Emblematic fauna |
Ibex, chamois, bearded vulture, golden eagle, black grouse, rock ptarmigan (125 species of nesting birds) |
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Emblematic flora |
alpine flora and also some oriental , southern and arctic-alpine species, androsaces, alpine columbine, various members of the carex family of which the carex bicolor, cortusa matthioli, thistle, linnaea borealis (the only resort in France where this is found ), alpine primrose and saxifraga |
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Major tourist attraction |
In the heart area: hiking, walking, mountaineering, ski touring (spring, winter) |
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Visitor centre(s) (number, names, themes) |
Visitor centre Champagny-en-Vanoise (theme of road salt and cheese) |
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Internet Site |
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Staff |
84 |
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Access |
For the Maurienne, motorway A 43 then D1006 (1st access at La Praz for L’Orgère), then D902, from Val-Cenis - Lanslebourg to the Iseran Pass, |
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for the Tarentaise, N90 to Bourg-Saint-Maurice or Moûtiers then valleys of Méribel-les-Allues, Pralognan-la-Vanoise, Champagny-en-Vanoise, Peisey-Nancroix, D902 to Val d’Isère. |
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It was confirmed on August 7 by videos trapping installed by rangers of the regional park Lessinia, which attest the presence of 2 cubs of about 4 months.
This reproduction was expected for months by the global scientific community, since these two strains of population had not been in contact for 150 years.
left: the two cubs drinking
right: the path done by Slavc to find Giulietta!
Further information here : http://www.ferus.fr/actualite/loup-premiere-reproduction-italo-slovene-dans-les-alpes-orientales
The Park of Triglav is the only Slovenian national park. Spread over 84,000 hectares, it covers almost the entire territory of the Slovenian Julian Alps.
Thanks to a project Leader, co-financed by the European Union, the park Triglav has decided to launch a project similar to the "Quality Charter" of the National Park Dolomiti Bellunesi, to build a network of farmers and tourism actors bearing the mark of the park.
Source of Information: http://www.dolomitipark.it/it/dettaglio.php?id=23731 30/09/2013
Following a meeting organized in October 2013 about Education for sustainable development in Nature parks, the Federation of Austrian Nature Parks (VNÖ) published in January 2014 a study dedicated to the topic.
ALPARC had the chance to contribute with the article ‘‘reflections, challenges and experiences in Alpine protected areas’’. A special thanks to the members of the working group “Mountain environmental education” for their contributions with information or illustrations.
French and German translations of the publication available below,
Vincent is an artist and baker, Anne a midwife, Claude a lumberjack, Lucie a farmer and literature teacher, Pierre a ski patroller… Thirty-one portraits “of the Alps” have been sketched by teams of researchers and photographers who attended the gathering of the residents of the seven regions of the Ecrins National Park.
These “characters of height” reveal all the humanity at home in the area of the Park.
Realised in the form of visual and audio portfolios, and returned to the public in the form of “little multimedia works”, the portraits use the material collected by the Centre for Alpine Orality.
“The challenge was twofold: on the one hand, to build a fund of testimony of the residents about their relationships with the area, and on the other hand, to make Little Multimedia Objects , then called “POM” (from French “Petits Objets Multimedia”) to promote the distribution and exchange surrounding the ways of life in this area and the general perceptions about it” explains Claude Dautrey, in charge of Culture & Education at the Ecrins National Park.
This work was realised by the Ecrins National Park on the occasion of its 40th anniversary and the Centre for Alpine Orality under their collaboration on the topics of memories and orality. An exhibition put together at the Musée Dauphinois in Grenoble (F) (until 31st May 2014) but requested to be shown in the area, reports about the research and the production to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ecrins National Park.
To find out more visit:
ALPARC wishes Happy Birthday to theSwiss National Park (SNP) who celebrates its centenary. Founded on 1st August 1914, the pioneers created a unique wilderness oasis where the natural development occurs without human influence. In the oldest national park of the Alps, this remarkable nature experiment has been scientifically observed and documented for hundred years.
In occasion of the Swiss National Park's Birthday, ALPARC offers new postcards "special centenary".
A colourful bouquet of anniversary projects provides a multi-facetted insight into a century of wilderness development.
The events:
Working towards a common goal: the SNP creates “Wilderness” with an exhibition tour in 16 large shopping centres in the entire country.
“LAINA VIVA – the legendary creation of the Swiss national park” An open-air theatre created especially to celebrate the Swiss National Park’s 100th anniversary will show on stage during all the summer.
National park ON TOUR :An interactive exhibition with 30 animated origami-style animals.
100 years Swiss National Park: LA FESTA: The 1st August 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the Swiss National Park’s foundation. In Zernez, a full programme for young and old, commencing at 10:00 with a children’s concert, and finishing with a big birthday party in the festival marquee. At the main ceremony, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, will deliver birthday greetings from the Confederation.
In September, the SNP will add a West-Swiss note at the “Comptoir Suisse” in Lausanne, and the National Park Centre in Zernez will show an anniversary exhibition in 2014 about people who have shaped the SNP in the past and today.
Finally, various publications, such as the new atlas, complement the programme.
More information:
www.nationalpark.ch/jubiläum
www.facebook.com/schweiz.nationalpark
Le Parc national du Mercantour, en partenariat avec Parcs nationaux de France, Futurikon Films et le Conseil Général des Alpes Maritimes, a organisé l’avant-première du film « Minuscule » qui a été tourné dans les Parcs nationaux du Mercantour et des Ecrins en 2010, 2011 et 2012.
Les écoles du Parc national ont été invitées à cette avant-première à Nice. Environ 530 élèves ont pu bénéficier de cette projection et de la rencontre avec les réalisateurs du film. Ils ont pu ainsi leur poser quelques questions techniques et sympathiques montrant ainsi leur intérêt et leur engouement pour le film.
Le Parc national du Mercantour a adhéré dès le début à la démarche de tournage car ce film s’inscrit dans une problématique qui est au cœur des missions des parcs nationaux : sensibiliser le plus grand nombre de personnes au respect de la biodiversité et à son importance pour les hommes. En effet, ce film permet de nous mettre à l’échelle de ces petites bêtes et de les appréhender dans leurs univers. Il permet aussi de valoriser les paysages magnifiques du Parc national du Mercantour et de donner envie d’aller le découvrir en le respectant !
Le Parc national du Mercantour, le Parc national des Ecrins et Parcs nationaux de France ont aussi participé à la création d'un site internet disponible à l'adresse: http://www.minuscule.com/fr/pages/home
Le film est à découvrir dans les salles à partir du 29 janvier 2014.
We are pleased to provide you here a first list of events organized or co-organized by ALPARC and important dates to remember in 2014.
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January 9th - 12th |
Pinzolo, Val Rendena / Parco naturale Adamello Brenta, (I) |
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January 10th |
ALPARC general assembly (morning) |
Pinzolo, Val Rendena / Parco naturale Adamello Brenta, (I) |
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January 10th |
Thematic seminar (afternoon) |
Pinzolo, Val Rendena / Parco naturale Adamello Brenta, (I) |
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March |
Meeting of the Platform “Ecological Network” of the Alpine Convention |
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October |
3rd international workshop “Mountain Environmental Education in Alpine protected areas” |
Haus der Berge, Nationalpark Berchtesgaden (D) |
Other events and meetings could still be programmed.
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January 17 |
SWIFCOB 14 (Swiss Academy of Science) |
Berne (CH) |
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March 20 - 21 |
55th Permanent Committee of the Alpine Convention |
Gorizia (I) |
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June 24 - 25 |
55th Permanent Committee of the Alpine Convention |
Brescia (I) |
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September 17 - 19 |
ForumAlpinum 2014 (ISCAR) |
Darfo Boario Terme (Val Camonica) (I) |
Don’t forget to check regularly the calendar of events at the website of Alparc.
You can also stream your own events on this site, under " Events of the Alpine protected areas " and "Other events in the Alps ": for this, you have simply to provide us all useful information: info@alparc.org
Le rapport d’activités d’ALPARC pour l’année 2013 est désormais disponible sur notre site Internet.
Apprenez-en plus sur une année particulière, de transition entre deux structures, qui a permis de poser des bases saines pour la nouvelle association ALPARC et de préparer des projets novateurs pour l’avenir.
The partners of the project discuss the first results.
The greenAlps project, of which ALPARC is the lead partner, is on. The first results of the activities that started in September, have been the object of a meeting among the project partners that took place in Vienna in early December.
In particular, the partners focused on the database gathering the main results of other international projects so as to maximize them and on an investigation on the most important European policies concerning biodiversity and ecosystem services, which is already available.
The partner EURAC visited the pilot sites of the greenAlps project on the occasion of a meeting with local stakeholders.
In 2014, four workshops with the collaboration of local stakeholders and three work meetings with the participation of international stakeholders will be organized in the pilot areas. The final conference of the project will take place in Chambery in 2014.
For more information please go to : http://www.greenalps-project.eu/
The general assembly of the new ALPARC association, set up in January 2013, will take place on January 10, 2014 in Pinzolo (Italy).
All the members, as well as the protected areas that wish to join the association or are interested in the international activities carried out by ALPARC, are invited to participate.
The General Assembly will be celebrated in the Adamello Brenta National Park on the occasion of the Memorial Danilo Re and will provide the opportunity to present the new programme of activities for the years 2014-2015 of the ALPARC association.