Within the framework of the Alpine Convention the German environment Ministry BMUB has been providing support, together with France, for the creation of ecological connectivity in the Alps since 2003.  This is a central goal of the Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Protocol of the Alpine Convention.  The Ministry has supported project work of the Alpine Network of Protected Areas - ALPARC, the platform Ecological Connectivity, relevant EU projects in the Alpine Space, and the development of expert tools and methods within the Ministry´s research agenda.  ALPARC has been an important partner in all these activities. 

As a result of all these activities, extensive technical, political and strategic foundations have been developed for the implementation of the Nature Conservation and Landscape Management Protocol, in particular for the realization of ecological networks in accordance with Article 12 of the Protocol. These can also be transferred to other mountain regions (eg Carpathian Mountains) beyond the Alpine area. The ecological network in the Alps also makes a significant contribution to the global network of protected areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

With substantive collaboration of the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, the project Alpine Nature 2030 has produced the handbook Alpine Nature 2030  Creating [ecological] connectivity for generations to come, published in September 2016.  In addition to the handbook, three short video clips "Life needs connectivity- Three love stories"were made.  They illustrate the concept of ecological connectivity in a fun format (view them below).

Project duration: 15 June 2015 - 31 October 2016