Klimabaustelle Kaunertal
Landscape conservation in the alpine pastures
Young people from the cities helping out on the mountain pastures
From the city to the pastures!
Together with the Kaunertal region, the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein) / Frankfurt Section is inspiring young people from urban areas to take on challenging and varied work on the expansive alpine pastures of the upper Kaunertal, as part of the CLAR (Clean Alpine Region) Kaunergrat project.
Through the 'Klimabaustelle' (Climate Worksite) project, participants work alongside local mountain guides to clear rocky slopes, remove dwarf shrubs, repair fences, and carry out the many small tasks that come with maintaining an alpine pasture.
Alpine farming in the Kaunertal
Alpine farming on the Kaunergrat dates back to pre-Roman times. Even then, the aim was to keep livestock on the lush high-altitude meadows for as long as possible, to help them through the harsh winter ahead. Alongside cheese, clarified butter, beef, and wool, the alpine farmers would also bring hay down into the valley at the end of summer. Today, the Birgagrar agricultural cooperative grazes 400 head of cattle across the alpine pastures of the upper Kaunertal
'Without our alpine pastures, we would have to do without many of the region's finest produce on our plates.”
(Armin Kofler, Birgagrar)
Beyond the produce of agricultural land, the maintenance of the alpine pasture landscape plays a vital role. Without animals grazing the meadows that were once cleared with great effort, these areas would quickly become impassable. Tourism, as we know and value it today, would simply be unthinkable. At the same time, protection against natural hazards is growing in importance: careful, location-appropriate management of the alpine pastures helps reduce the threat of soil erosion, mudslides, and avalanches. For the benefit of all, every helping hand is needed - and warmly welcomed.
'I'm delighted to see the passion and motivation with which these young people are working and helping us.'
(Armin Kofler, Birgagrar)
From the city to the pastures
In July 2021, a youth group from the Frankfurt branch of the German Alpine Club accepted an invitation to help out at the ‘Climate Worksite’ in the Kaunertal. Taking place within the framework of CLAR and against the backdrop of increasing climate change, the project aimed to give young people from urban areas a deeper understanding of the importance of agriculture for mountain regions.
'The great thing is that we're not starting from scratch with our initiatives. Through KLAR and the Kaunergrat Nature Park, we're working with the Kaunertal Tourist Association to build on what already exists and actively drive positive developments forward.'
(Michaela Gasser-Mark, Managing Director of the Kaunertal Tourist Association)
For most of the helpers, it was their first time in the Kaunertal - and their excitement about the landscape and mountain scenery showed. With the sun shining, working out in nature turned out to be great fun for everyone involved. Even the youngest participant, just four years old, threw himself into the work wholeheartedly. And always there to guide the way: Stefan, the experienced mountain guide who was perhaps most excited of all - especially when it came to showing his guests the recreational wonders of his beloved home region after a hard day's work.
'Our motto was 'work and play'. Whether on the via ferrata or swimming in the mountain lake, you could see plenty of sparkling eyes.'
(Stefan Larcher, mountain guide)
A success to be proud of
Thirteen-year-old Daniel was particularly struck by how tangible the results of his work were - the growing piles of branches and undergrowth offering visible proof of a week well spent. Together with mountain guides and armed with every tool imaginable, the young participants spent a week pruning, gathering, and tidying up around the Gepatschhaus.
'I love that we can actively do something for the environment here. And the work is a lot of fun, too.'
(Daniel, 13)
For Ainur, who set a wonderful example for her two children throughout, the camaraderie of the group was just as rewarding as the work itself. Passing on a sense of awareness for climate and culture to the next generation was close to her heart. And the group's verdict was unanimous: 'We'll be back!'
'Our work doesn't just help the farmers and supports agriculture - it's also an active step towards rethinking our approach to climate change.'
(Ainur, 40)
Wishes for the future
Michaela Gasser-Mark, Managing Director of Kaunertal Tourism, was just as enthusiastic about the success of the Kaunertal Climate Project as the participants. Looking ahead to next year, she envisages expanding the event to a two-week programme. She would particularly like to see young people from the valley involved as well, in keeping with the fully sustainable mindset of everyone involved on the ground.
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