speciAlps2

Nature — Jan 13, 2021

CIPRA International

[Project completed] More and more people are seeking recreation and balance in the natural surroundings of the Alps. This trend is not only being reinforced by the corona crisis, but also by society’s increasing pressure to perform. This puts increasing pressure on animals and plants, but also on destinations with their infrastructure and inhabitants. It is essential for visitors to be guided: the speciAlps2 project raised awareness of the protection of nature and landscape in the Alps and developed measures to guide visitors.

Bringing natural treasures and recreation seekers together in a compatible way

Admiring alpine flowers instead of picking them, hiking on the paths instead of cross-country, observing chamois from a distance instead of following them: sustainable tourism combines the experience of nature with environmental protection. It is important for visitors to know the special features of nature and landscape in the Alps and to observe the rules of conduct. The speciAlps2 project sensitised guests and locals to the diversity of animals and plants in the Alps, but also to the rules of how to behave in the natural environment.

The project partners were researching suitable measures to guide visitors and make these available on a map. Local working groups and supervisors in four pilot regions networked on site, jointly developed solutions to selected challenges and implemented concrete steps. Three international project meetings provided a platform for the exchange of experiences at Alpine level. The project results will be used to develop a political compact and a code of conduct in the natural areas that will be made available and disseminated together with young people.

SpeciAlps2 built on the results and findings of the project «speciAlps»: discovering, conserving and sharing cross-community natural diversity in Alpine communities.

Aims of the project

To familiarise guests and locals in the four pilot regions with the natural treasures of the Alps and to raise their awareness of the need for their protection.
To collect examples of successful visitor management, develop them further and make them available as a source of inspiration.
To promote transnational cooperation in the Alpine Space by means of international meetings between the pilot regions.
To communicate the Alpine Convention as a guiding principle for municipalities and regions, addressing in particular the issues of sustainable tourism as well as biodiversity and landscape protection.

Impact

The project contributes to the fact that guests and locals in pilot regions travel in a considerate manner and enjoy nature without harming it.
The findings from the project also inspire other regions in the Alps towards visitor guidance and nature conservation.

Duration: November 2020 to December 2022

Project partners