After the success of the international “Wildlife and Winter Sport Activities” workshop in the Massif des Bauges on 3rd and 4th March last, attended by 45 people, a working group on this theme was set up at the beginning of summer. The will to work together in the ALPARC network stems from the finding that the disturbance of wildlife in winter is a problem that follows the same dynamic in many Alpine territories. Sharing knowledge and practices can bring added value: more visibility, greater awareness –raising among the public who practise such activities and a better quality of management in the Alpine protected areas. The operating objective for this group of around 20 people is to develop a project on a transnational scale together.
The working group has at its disposal an online collaborative working space, where information and photos can be shared. Last May the steering committee, made up of technicians from the Bauges Nature Park, ASTERS and ALPARC, met for the first time to collect the feedback from the workshop and set out the next steps.

The results of the online survey

Among the first actions planned by this committee was an online survey which was launched by ALPARC last June and in which 27 people took part (44 % protected areas, 30 % researchers and 19 % Alpine clubs), its aim being to channel ideas for projects. Overall the survey confirmed once again the interest in working together on this theme, notably on awareness-raising, communication and monitoring of the disturbance (wildlife and sports activities). 74 % of participants are in favour of a campaign to raise awareness on an Alpine scale. The idea of working with the pilot regions was brought up, as well as partnerships with Alpine clubs and firms in the outdoor sector for the communication/awareness-raising campaign.

The next step will be to develop a project on an Alpine scale. Furthermore, ALPARC is actively looking for financing which could support these activities and the development of a common strategy.

For further details: Workshop report « Wildlife and winter sport activities »
To join the working group: ALPARC extranet