PART OF THE MOUNTAIN - PROTECT THE ALPINE WILDLIFE

In an area where there are many internationally renowned winter sports resorts, and faced with the development of ski touring and snowshoeing, the Vanoise National Park is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the disturbance of wildlife in winter, in the wake of the Alpine initiative Be Part of the Mountain.

# THE PNV LAUNCHES ITS "BE PART OF THE MOUNTAIN" CAMPAIGN 

In recent years, the Alps and the Vanoise region have seen a significant increase in ski touring, snowshoeing and extreme nature sports such as free-riding. The international reputation of the ski areas of Vanoise brings a high number of visitors at a time when wild animals are trying to survive the winter. 

What is a space of freedom for lovers of virgin snow and wide open spaces is a vital space for wildlife. The disturbance caused by the passage of skiers or walkers provokes exhausting flight behaviors for animals that are already weakened, such as the black grouse, the chamois or the ptarmigan, among others. The disturbance of fauna is still very often the result of ignorance.

By informing and empowering winter sports enthusiasts, we can contribute to a better coexistence between these activities and wildlife in the Alps. 

For this purpose, the Vanoise National Park launched this winter its Be Part of the Mountain campaign by spreading awareness messages and information on the needs of wildlife. Tools with dedicated graphics have also been made available to ambassadors who have already responded to relay the campaign for wide dissemination on the territory. 

> Communication tools 

An A5 double-sided flyer to raise awareness of the problem of disturbance of wildlife in winter, with a series of simple tips to implement, whether at the top of the mountains, on the edge of the forest or in the forest, to limit its impact. 

A series of stickers with 4 different visuals to stick on your helmet, your mask, your computer, etc. Free distribution. 

Two models of organic cotton T-shirts bearing the visuals of the campaign and available for sale on the e-boutique and in the Park's information points.

> A conference "Mountain professionals and practitioners, you have a role to play!" will take place in February 2019 at the Maison du Parc in Pralognan-la- 

Vanoise. 

Following a first edition at the ENSA in Chamonix, last January 17, Daniel Rodrigues, ecologist, mountain guide, videographer, photographer, will come to talk to us about winter, winter that calls, with the desire to leave its trace in the powder... and this snowy mountain that is to be shared with a varied fauna, subject as we are to the constraints of the season. To know these animals better is to learn to share the mountain in which we evolve. Daniel Rodrigues will also present us with a few gestures and tips to preserve this environment. 

# A campaign initiated by ALPARC in the Alps 

Be Part of the Mountain is an international cooperation initiative that brings together protected areas, nature conservation associations, public authorities, Alpine clubs and ambassadors throughout the Alps. 

Coordinated by ALPARC, Be Part of the Mountain aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices and to encourage the implementation of convergent communication actions to raise awareness among nature sports enthusiasts of the problem of disturbing wildlife in winter and to initiate a change in behavior. Be Part of the Mountain also contributes to the visibility of many existing initiatives. 

www.bepartofthemountain.org 

# Become a Be Part of the Mountain ambassador 

The Vanoise National Park calls on winter sports enthusiasts to join the movement by becoming Be Part of the Mountain ambassadors. It also encourages to relay the initiative on social networks with the #bepartofthemountain. 

For mountain professionals who wish to support the initiative and raise awareness among holidaymakers, the Park provides a free communication kit (flyers, stickers and demonstration T-shirt). 

They are ambassadors and tell us why: 

Guillaume Collombet: 28 years old, Photographer and wildlife filmmaker.

"I chose to be a Be Part of the Mountain ambassador because I am regularly in contact with the wild life that survives in the heart of the alpine winter. I wish to have the most ethical approach possible in my work, because no image justifies a disturbance!" 

"The development of winter tourist activities is taking up more and more space in the animals' living environment. Sometimes there is simply a lack of knowledge on the part of the practitioners to be able to reconcile the pleasure of winter sports and a respect for the mountain. This is why the BPM movement interests me. Because it is possible to marvel at the sight of a mountain hare huddled in its lodge or a group of ptarmigan watching over us on a ridge, while having fun skiing and limiting the disturbance! 

"During my conferences on wildlife photography or film projections in ski resorts, I am regularly asked to exchange with the public. Faced with poignant images of animals surviving in snowstorms, the exchange is facilitated to raise awareness of this subject among vacationers or local mountain enthusiasts. Be Part of the Mountain offers a great opportunity to address these issues at every meeting. 

They are ambassadors and tell us why: 

Guillaume Collombet: 28 years old, Wildlife photographer and filmmaker.

"I chose to be a Be Part of the Mountain ambassador because I am regularly in contact with the wild life that survives in the heart of the alpine winter. I wish to have the most ethical approach possible in my work, because no image justifies a disturbance!" 

"The development of winter tourist activities is taking up more and more space in the animals' living environment. Sometimes there is simply a lack of knowledge on the part of the practitioners to be able to reconcile the pleasure of winter sports and a respect for the mountain. This is why the BPM movement interests me. Because it is possible to marvel at the sight of a mountain hare huddled in its lodge or a group of ptarmigan watching over us on a ridge, while having fun skiing and limiting the disturbance! 

"During my conferences on wildlife photography or film projections in ski resorts, I am regularly asked to exchange with the public. Faced with poignant images of animals surviving in snowstorms, the exchange is facilitated to raise awareness of this subject among vacationers or local mountain enthusiasts. Be Part of the Mountain offers a great opportunity to address these issues at every meeting. 

Lauriane Miara : 28 years old, Illustrator and graphic designer 

 Newly arrived in Haute Tarentaise, my work is about environmental protection. Trained in environmental sciences, I am lucky enough to be able to combine two passions: drawing and natural spaces. 

"I am a Be Part of the Mountain ambassador because wildlife disturbance is a theme that touches me personally. Our mountain activities monopolize a lot of space and I believe that a balance must be built between human activities and wildlife. In the mountains, we are not alone. 

"As an illustrator, I try to highlight the beauty of natural environments. Nature being intrinsically beautiful, my objective is to highlight its fragility, through details and a sensitive approach. Through this, I hope to inspire a desire to protect the small and large wonders of nature." 

Mathieu Navillod - 27 years old, ESI Ambassador and Ski Instructor - Ski Instructor (FFS) 

"I am sensitive to the Be Part of the Mountain initiative because nature is the beauty of my practice, nature and the fauna it shelters are an inseparable whole. I ski and mountain for the beauty of a setting, so protecting it is a priority. Protecting it is therefore a priority. 

"I wish through a positive and explicit speech to present the good behaviors to adopt in the spaces that shelter wildlife. For this, photography and video are effective means of communication. To reach the greatest number of people by going outside the Park: cafés, refuges, events, gatherings. 

"I grew up in the Haute Tarentaise, in Tignes, in a family of enthusiasts who have always lived in great respect for nature. Hiking, skiing, observing in the Park... I was lucky enough from an early age to be made aware of the fragility and beauty of natural spaces and it is therefore normal in my turn to share and accompany the right behavior to adopt." 

Everyone can become an ambassador 

Everyone can become a Be Part of Mountain ambassador in their own way, by adopting the right actions and joining the BPM community. 

Join the community on social networks with the #bepartofthemountain 

Become an ambassador for the National Park by contacting the National Park by email accueil@vanoise-parcnational.fr