Mreža zavarovanih območij v Alpah
In the past week we have been pleased to hold two new workshops for our members. These online meetings addressed the Working Groups within the network, in regards to two of our tfields of work: “Regional Development and quality of life” and “Education for sustainable development in the Alps”.
On June 18th, the first workshop was focusing on visitor management, challenges and opportunities for Alpine protected areas in view of future common activities at the Alpine level. Thus, the objective was to identify existing best practices for visitor management in different parks and common difficulties against the background of the increased post-Covid pressure on sensitive ecosystems. In this context, we also had the opportunity to discuss a concrete project proposal targeting joint actions at the international level.
On June 24th, the second workshop was aiming to foster exchange on the different education activities for this year’s summer and autumn season, and have a look at any new projects or initiatives which you would like to share with the other educators. It has been very inspiring to see how everyone is being highly creative to deal with the pandemic situation and to keep offering a large variety of Education Activities. The workshop also gave us the occasion to share updates on the upcoming 7th edition of Youth at the Top.
We would like to sincerely thank all the participants to these workshops. The valuable inputs from Protected Areas all across the Alps and the rich discussions that ensued, were living proof of the importance of international cooperation as we cherish it.
Sondrio Festival is a unique international film festival, mainly dedicated to nature films, of high scientific and cinematographic level, made in protected areas worldwide. It takes place every year since 1987 in Sondrio, Italy, in November, during two weeks. Due to the Covid-Pandemic, the films of the 2020 were presented only in streaming. Therefore, the festival will be holding a Summer Special Edition from June 14th to June 20th to present these films again but to an audience in attendance this time. Seats can be reserved starting from Friday 4th June, up to 24 hours before the selected evening, and until the maximum capacity is reached. Among the 2020 films to be presented, "Natura senza confini" (Nature Without Borders) is a short documentary set in the Triglav National Park in Slovenia and the Julian Prealps National Park in Italy which are both ALPARC's members.
The works presented in the competition are selected from the best productions worldwide: among the past festivals winners are film-makers from all over the world and famous personalities in the field of nature documentary. Further film sections may be set up for documentaries made in natural areas, highlighting problems concerning the environment, its conservation, human activities, agriculture and sustainable development. The aims of the Festival are the diffusion of the culture of nature parks, protected areas and environmental protection, environmental education and the promotion of nature films.
PROGRAMME & RESERVATIONS: https://www.sondriofestival.it/it
With more than 40 local events scheduled, the 7th edition of this international event is already a success! On July 8th-9th and across 9 different countries of the Alps and the Carpathians, several groups of kids and teens will go for a mountain hike and an overnight stay that they won't forget. This event is the opportunity to raise awareness on Alpine natural and cultural heritage among the youngest. Moreover, it favors values such as solidarity, respect and collective action which are crucial for a safe mountain experience. This year, several pedagogical activities will be implemented within the framework of the common theme "Local Food".
More info: https://youth-at-the-top.org/en/
Photo: © Parco Naturale Mont Avic - Roberto Facchini
In Italy, the Minister for Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani, has recently signed the decree appointing Bruno Bassano as Director of the Gran Paradiso National Park.
The director is responsible for the technical and administrative management of the Park. Bruno Bassano was graduated in Veterinary Medicine in Turin in 1985 and obtained a doctorate in Applied Zootechnical Sciences, Alpiculture and Ecology in 1994. Since February 1999, he has been a technical collaborator of the Park Authority of which he has become Health Inspector and Head of the Service Biodiversity and Scientific Research. Author of numerous publications in the scientific field, he has also held academic positions as a teacher for university degree courses and masters.
The new director commented on the appointment as follows: "It was largely unexpected news and it is a particular honor for me to join the management of an organization that has been for me the professional reference of a lifetime, since I started my degree thesis to reach this goal. I trust in the collaboration of all former colleagues, service managers and officials, to be able to conduct a collegial management of a complex body, to try to keep the Gran Paradiso National Park up to what it is today, one of the European references of protection of nature".
Our congratulations go to Bruno Bassano and we wish him all the best as director.
Read the full announcement (in Italian): http://www.pngp.it/notizie/bruno-bassano-nuovo-direttore-del-parco
Photo: © Andrea Carta / Enzo Massa Micon
As one of the Leader Partners of the OpenSpaceAlps project and more widely involved in transfer of knowledge to young professionals, we are pleased to share the invitation to a capacity building seminar on open space planning. As part of the activities of the "AlpPlan" alpine spatial planning network, the Interreg Alpine Space project "OpenSpaceAlps" is organising a capacity building seminar on open space planning. The seminar will take place on July 22th – 25th 2021 at the Parkhotel Brunauer in Salzburg (AT) (www.parkhotelbrunauer.at/en) and will bring together young professionals from different alpine countries and regions.
Near-natural open spaces are under pressure due to continuous land take for settlements and infrastructures and the resulting landscape fragmentation in many alpine regions. The OpenSpaceAlps projects aims at safeguarding multifunctional open spaces for generations to come by enabling spatial planning stakeholders to better understand, coordinate and jointly develop innovative planning approaches, also from a transnational perspective. In the capacity building seminar we aim to improve the competences of spatial and sectoral planning practitioners and advanced students. The seminar deals with specific skills and tools that help planners to identify relevant open spaces, analyse their functions and provide for legal safeguarding. The seminar contents will be exemplified in concrete pilot cases (short field trips to the project pilot sites in Germany and Austria). Presentations and workshops will be conducted by the OpenSpaceAlps project partners and external experts.
The seminar is targeted at young professionals from various disciplines: young people (up to 35 years of age) working in spatial or sectoral planning practice (e.g. public planning or conservation administrations; private planning offices) as well as advanced students (e.g. master studies in academic fields such as spatial planning, geography, landscape ecology, landscape architecture, nature conservation etc.)
Free accommodation (single bed rooms incl. breakfest), meals and transportation are provided during the seminar. Participants only have to pay for their own travel to Salzburg as well as the return journey.
If you are interested in participating in the capacity building seminar, please fill in the application form (incl. motivation letter and CV) and send your application via e-mail to constantin.meyer@uni-wuerzburg.de until 21/06/2021 (Monday). You will be informed until 24/06/2021, if your application is accepted. The number of participants is limited due to Covid-19 precautions. You can find the programme and the application form on: https://www.alpine-space.eu/projects/openspacealps/en/pilot-cases-and-participatory-activities/workshops/capacity-building-seminar-for-young-professionals
The Symposium Healing Power of the Alps will take place for the third time on 8th and 9th October 2021, in Bad Hofgastein/Salzburger Land Region (Austria). This year‘s Symposium will focus on nature-based and health-promoting tourism as a motor out of the crisis – towards a sustainable and innovative development of the Alpine space. It therefore meets the objectives of the Interreg Project HEALPS 2 and provides the framework for the project's midterm conference. HEALPS2 aims at positioning the Alpine Space as a globally attractive healing region and focuses at improving framework conditions for utilising Alpine natural health resources by developing health tourism products and service chains. ALPARC leads the work package Communication. At the Symposium a transnational stakeholder workshop on agriculture and tourism will highlight best practices and facilitate exchange and networking among international stakeholders to foster Alpine Health Tourism.
With its unique mountain world, diverse climate, outstanding biodiversity and cultural heritage, the Alpine region offers numerous opportunities for healthy living. In contrast to vibrant city life, which is exposed to particulate matter and noise, outdoor recreation in natural environments is increasingly being researched and used for its positive effects on human health and well-being. Various natural resources such as forests, waterfalls, medicinal plants, microbiomes on alpine pastures or thermal waters show measurable health benefits for humans. These health resources lead, among other things, to a strengthened immune system, higher physical fitness, better respiratory performance, and improved mental resilience.
This year it is jointly organized by ITG - Innovation Service for Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Platform Heilkraft der Alpen (HDA) and ALPARC. For the first time, the symposium spans the entire Alpine region as a joint international initiative of ARGE ALP, BMK, BMLRT, Alpine Convention and EUSALP.
Top-class speakers, including Lola Uña Cárdenas from the World Travel & Tourism Council, Arnulf Hartl from Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg and Franz Fischler, President of the European Forum Alpbach and former EU Agriculture Commissioner, promise exciting debates.
The target groups of the symposium are SMEs from the Alpine regions, tourism businesses, service providers from the trade, regional developers, destination and tourism managers, representatives of tourism associations, representatives from the ARGE-ALP member regions, representatives of the EUSALP and the Alpine Convention, representatives of the BMK and the BMLRT as well as pupils and students with a focus on tourism and regional development. The symposium languages are German, Italian, French, Slovenian and English (simultaneous translation).
Details about the symposium can be found here.
Photo: © SalzburgerLand Tourismus
On World Environment Day on 5th June 2021, the Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention will launch the first edition of the Climate Hour in cooperation with the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention. For this event, partners from all Alpine countries organise local events on climate action in the Alps. All formats and ideas dedicated to a healthy Alpine climate are welcome. More information can be found here.
On World Environment Day on 5th June 2021, the Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention will launch the first edition of the Climate Hour in cooperation with the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention. For this event, partners from all Alpine countries will organize local events on climate action in the Alps.
Alpine Protected Areas have long since been deeply involved in climate matters. With their restricted human influence, national parks are ideal places for observation and learning. In addition, with an ever- increasing number of visitors, nature parks and regional parks also have a unique opportunity to raise awareness on climate change and its consequences for the general public. Across the Alps, Protected Areas are therefore leading various actions regarding climate. Research, monitoring, awareness-raising and educational activities… acting for climate can take many different forms!
To celebrate this first edition of the Climate Hour, we have gathered below a small sample of the actions for climate being led by Protected Areas across the Alps, together with a photo collection (see above) featuring the engagement of “Alpine protected areas for climate” !
For families and schools, the Climate change adventure trail is a unique excursion destination that enables visitors to find out about climate protection and biodiversity. The aim of this new adventure trail is to focus on the topics of biodiversity and nature conservation at 14 adventure stations, each with a special reference to living space. How will the habitats and their endangered and protected species in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park develop in view of the changes caused by climate change? What ,if any, are the threats from neobiota?
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the effects of the phenomenon of climate change, effects which are also increasingly affecting the inhabitants of the nature park directly. There has been an accumulation of damaging events in the immediate vicinity. These include, among other things, floods with massive mudslides, a lack of snow, large-scale breakage due to icing, drought, avalanches and damage from bark beetle infestation. Based on the available data, a massive increase in these effects can be expected in the near future. With the topic of “climate change”, the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park deliberately chose a very topical subject which had not yet been presented in an adventure trail in Austria. This gives the adventure trail and the region a unique position and a pioneering role in Austria.
The climate change adventure trail has received a positive reception by the delighted population and guests alike. The feedback from the individual adventure stations has been very positive.
In 2005, the Parc du Vercors launched a program called “Climate Observatory”. This program started, in the territory of the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors National Nature Reserve, with the installation of 3 weather stations and three recorders (temperature, humidity and rainfall) on the Integral Biological Reserve (RBI) of Vercors. A framework agreement was signed with UJF (University of Grenoble) to set up research partnerships around climate change and its consequences on the environment (biodiversity, hydrology, etc.). This observatory aims to assess the impact of global change on the ecosystem, water resources and biodiversity. From 2017 to 2018, a partnership with the University of Grenoble allowed this tool to be redesigned: the 2.0 observatory, the device integrates new indicators, particularly hydrological, and extends its field of observation to the entire massif. The research undertaken at the Vercors scale should make it possible to specify the spatio-temporal evolution of regional climatic limits and to improve the understanding of certain bioclimatic interactions (water / soil / snow / vegetation). It also participates in the development of future environmental policies for protected areas.
On June 5th : For the Climate Hour, the parks organizes an open-air artistic walk « Chemins à ciel ouvert ». Through the intervention of a choreographer (Frank Micheletti) and a geographer anthropologist (Chiara Pia), the Regional Natural Park will organize an open-air artistic walk at the intersection of bodies, voices and all the elements that make up the unique landscape of the Vercors. The walk is based on the principle that culture participates in the construction of rural (and mountain) territories and that it plays a role in revealing the effects at work in terms of climate and global changes more generally. As a duo, the artist and the researcher will combine their knowledge and the collection of stories and observations that they will have gathered to build a new cultural itinerary (and without a car!) along the path "Au fil de la Bourne" . The opportunity for participants to take another look at their territory and their relationship to nature, landscapes and geography.
Partners: DRAC Auvergne Rhône-Alpes & Lo Link
Contact: armelle.bouquet@pnr-vercors.fr
The area of research and monitoring in the Berchtesgaden National Park was significantly strengthened with the start of cooperation with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) last year. In a first major project, the effects of climate change on the dynamics in ecosystems and their biodiversity are to be investigated. The project is led by the National Park research directors Dr. Sebastian Seibold and Dr. Rupert Seidl, the coordinator. The newly assembled team of Berchtesgaden National Park researchers is currently dealing with numerous research questions, all of which address the various facets and effects of climate change. […] ”The Berchtesgaden National Park is an ideal research area because of its terrain: the temperature drops by around 6 ° C every 1,000 meters. "This is a unique opportunity for climate change research, which, to a certain extent, allows a look into the crystal ball," explains Seibold. […] From the knowledge gained, the scientists can deduce how nature will change within the national park. In addition, recommendations can be made on how forests and meadows should also be managed outside the national park in order to maintain their biodiversity and natural productivity in the future.
[Extract from April 2021 Press release]
The Mont Avic Natural Park carries out monitoring (animal and plant phenology within the framework of the Interreg “PhenoAlp” project), research (effects of climate change on forests) and public awareness actions. PhenoAlp (2007-2013) was an Interreg project aiming to get a better understanding of phenological changes in the Alps. The major goals of the project were:
● The implementation of an observation network in the territories involved
● The definition of a common observation strategy and common protocols
● The involvement of local community members (e.g. through schools) in the observation activities as a way to increase awareness on the issue of the effects of climate change.
On June 5th: For the first edition of the Climate Hour, the Park organize a local event for young people from 8 to 14 years old “The Alpine Climate in Your Hands”: A day to raise awareness on the issue of climate change. OUting to a peat bog and laboratories.
On June 5th 2021, for the first edition of the Climate Hour, Nature Park Visitor Centers will give away ecological footprint questionnaires to the visitors. This document provided by the OEW is a way to make people think about the consequences of their actions and to raise awareness about Climate Change.
Climate change consequences are clearly visible within the cave of Park Škocjanske Jame. Stalagmites and stalactites indeed grow depending on climate and it is therefore possible to “see” the ice age growth and the evidence of the current climate warming, by mere observation. Meanwhile, in the sinkholes surrounding the cave, one can observe some remains of flora and fauna from ice age and from Mediterranean climate. Nowadays, the area is more considered as offering a submediterranean climate. All this information is passed on visitors, to increase awareness on Climate Change.
The objectives of the “Expedition 2 Grad” project focused on visualizing and experiencing a 2°C climate warming in the Alps by means of a VR-Experience in two partner museums. By means of Virtual Reality (VR) participants undertake the “Expedition 2 Grad”: In a virtual world around the Great Aletsch glacier the target audience interactively experiences the effects of increasing temperatures on the Alpine environment. By this journey through space and time, emotions are triggered and the users experience the region of Aletsch through the eyes of their grandparents and of future generations. Virtual Reality allows the public to experience a global warming of 2°C in a high mountain environment. The politically determined and abstract 2 degree target can be clearly communicated in an impressive way. The result is meant to motivate reflection – on individual decisions but also efforts of society, which in the end lead back to personal behaviour. Questions on what climate change exactly means and how we can cope with the challenges of climate change as society were discussed and answered in a common discussion. The “Expedition 2 Grad” was primarily intended for school classes of Secondary and College level (12-17 years). The main module was the interactive VR-experience but it also included an adapted supporting program with a moderated class discussion. A total of 40 school classes in workshops have been supervised. In 2020, the project was developed further in the new visitor centre of Pontresina.
On June 5th : For the Climate hourn a local event open to the general public is organized. For the first edition of the Climate Hour, visitors of the Swiss National Park will be invited to enjoy:
- various information stands (eg: “Plants, Animals and Climate in the SNP”),
- a seed and seedling fair
- an excursion with the theme : “Terraced landscape and grain cultivation in the face of climate change”. Excursion conducted by Padruot Fried and Peer Schilperoord
- two lectures: “Fruit trees and gardens - culture and diversity of the inner Alps” by Thomas Kohl and Angelika Abderhalden, Pro Terra Engiadina Foundation and “Tomorrow's nutrition needs yesterday's diversity” by Béla Bartha, ProSpecieRara
PROGRAMME
The park has integrated the climate emergency as a new transversal objective of the 2022-2031 park charter: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.
A member of the association Cité de l'énergie since December 2009, the Gruyère Pays-d'En-haut Regional Nature Park and the member municipalities are committed to a global process leading to a sustainable policy in terms of energy, transport and environment. Many actions have been implemented: territorial energy analysis, reduction of energy consumption, increase in the share of indigenous renewable energies in final consumption, reduction of environmental impacts linked to energy consumption, information, communication, cooperation and awareness of the population… In 2021, thanks to the accomplished work, the Park and the 15 participating municipalities obtained the “Cité de l'énergie” label.
A local bus called „Bus alpin“ is now providing public transport to destinations that were previously only accessible to private transport. The buses run in fixed route operations as well as on an on-call bus basis. This avoids the use of private cars and therefore helps to reduce CO2-emissions.
Within the park, Ernen is part of the “energieregionGOMS” and offers the residents and guests an environmentally friendly, CO2-neutral heating system with a wood chip heating system. It is supplied with wood chips from local forests and also reduces odor emissions during the heating season. The association "energieregionGOMS" has the vision to position the Goms region as the first energy region in the Swiss Alps. Sustainable and local energy production is promoted so that production, conversion and consumption can take place in the Goms region while minimizing transport.
With Its long-term ALPARCLIM program launched in 2020, ALPARC wants to publicize campaigns by the parks that serve climate protection and have concrete effects:
● Innovative approaches by the parks and the regions: For some years now, climate protection campaigns have been carried out in the parks and the population has been involved, especially in the inhabited protected areas. In 2019, ALPARC carried out an initial survey on the actions and measures that were implemented to protect the climate or as adaptation strategies in the car parks and intends to encourage such actions across the Alps.
● Cooperation with the local authorities: The cooperation of protected areas (parks and other forms of protection) with the local authorities concerned is of particular importance. A workshop on the subject of “targeted measures to reduce CO2 emissions in inhabited protected areas” is to be prepared.
● Protection of biodiversity and habitats threatened by climate change: The central topic for ALPARC is the preservation of biodiversity. Climate protection and biodiversity protection have a close connection which, however, has not yet been sufficiently recognized by society or by political decision-makers and is expressed in concrete political action and measures. ALPARC therefore wants to use all of its available means of communication in order to attract greater attention to the alpine area.
ALPARC is pleased to welcome a new Austrian member: Natur- und Geopark Steirische Eisenwurzen.
The Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark is located in the middle of the triangle between Styria, Upper Austria and Lower Austria. Since 1996, the area of today's municipalities Altenmarkt, St.Gallen, Landl and Wildalpen have been given the title “Nature Park”. A nature park represents a characteristic and ecologically valuable mosaic from different cultural and natural landscapes. In the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature Park these are, for example, flowing waters and their alluvial forests, habitats in the mountains (alpine pastures, rock and debris fields), meadows and pastures in the valleys, alpine mixed forest structures with a focus on beech and orchards. The nature park ensures healthy habitats for plants, animals and people. The goal isn’t “locking out” people, but the best possible integration of people into a cycle based on the pattern of nature, as can be illustrated very well using the example of orchards.
The Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature Park was named a European Geopark in 2002 and in 2004, we became a member of the “Global Geopark” network under the auspices of UNESCO. In 2015 it was recognized as a "UNESCO Global Geopark" as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. A geopark is an area with a special geological heritage and a strategy for sustainable regional development. A special geological heritage means that a geopark houses a certain number of geologically or archaeologically significant sites that are of particular importance due to their scientific quality, rarity, aesthetics or educational value. In addition, a geopark takes on an active economic role in the area by developing sustainable regional development strategies and expanding so-called geotourism as an educational component. What is important here is cooperation with the local population, who should be empowered to actively participate in the cultural revitalization of the region.
Thus, nature / geological protection, regional development, ecological education and nature tourism are among the general objectives of the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark.
By joining ALPARC's members, the Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark has expressed the wish of working for a better alpine networking. With the UNESCO Global Geopark Network and the Netzwerk Naturwald (www.netzwerknaturwald.at) the park offers good prerequisites for getting involved. Its special position as a nature park and UNESCO Global Geopark can bring in all kinds of expertise to the network. The park is also aiming for better involvement in international projects. With its experience as Leader Partner for Interreg and H2020, the park would certainly also be appealed by future Interreg Alpine Space projects.
The Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark is the third Austrian protected area to join ALPARC's members this year, which prooves -once again- the vitality of the network. The whole ALPARC's team addresses the park a warm welcome and is eager to work with its staff for a stronger alpine cooperation.
PHOTO: © Stefan Leitner – Gesäuse, mit Unterstützung von Bund, Land Steiermark und Europäischer Union (LEADER)
With its long-term ALPARCLIM program launched in 2020, ALPARC wants to publicize campaigns by the parks that serve climate protection and have concrete effects.
The park has integrated the climate emergency as a new transversal objective of the 2022-2031 park charter and obtained the “Cité de l'énergie” label in 2021.
