Cross-border wolf management and the future of mountain regions in focus

Cooperation on protection against natural hazards expanded

Vorarlberg takes over the chair from Trentino

Last Friday, the 56th Conference of Heads of Government of the Working Community of Alpine Regions (ARGE ALP) took place in Trento (Italy). Representatives from the ten member regions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland discussed current challenges and future-oriented issues in the Alpine region. Tyrol was represented by Deputy Governor Josef Geisler. The conference focused in particular on cross-border approaches to large predators, strategies for the future of mountain regions, and the further development of cooperation in the field of protection against natural hazards.

Cross-border platform for wolf management

One key focus of the discussions was large predators and how to deal with the return of the wolf to the Alps. Since the early 2000s, wolves have been steadily spreading again in Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In the meantime, the Alpine wolf population has reached a favourable conservation status. This increases the need to improve coordination between the Alpine regions in order to reconcile the protection of alpine farming, public safety and species conservation.

At Tyrol’s request, the establishment of a cross-border platform for wolf management was approved. This builds on the joint monitoring carried out by the member regions since 2023. With the motion now submitted by Tyrol, this cross-border platform is to be implemented technically, further developing the existing joint monitoring system. In future, the platform will create a shared data basis on which the Alpine regions can record and exchange information on wolf removals and monitoring data. The aim is coordinated, cross-border population management that enables targeted and transparent control of wolf numbers and reduces conflicts with livestock farmers in the long term.

“Wolves know no regional borders — and wolf management therefore also requires a joint, supra-regional approach. The new platform is an important step towards recording wolf populations across borders and implementing measures in a coordinated manner. This creates clarity, transparency and reliability for all those involved — especially for our alpine pasture and grazing agriculture,” emphasised Deputy Governor Geisler.

Cooperation on protection against natural hazards

As part of a specialist workshop, experts from the ARGE ALP regions also exchanged experiences on the preventive management of natural hazards and disasters. Building on an initiative launched by Tyrol last year, the joint strategy was further developed and will in future include measures in the fields of spatial planning, water management, flood protection, and torrent and avalanche control. The aim is to increase the resilience of the Alpine regions to natural hazards and to establish common standards for prevention and crisis management.

Youth, mountains and the future

Another key topic of the conference was demographic development in the Alpine regions. With the resolution “Youth and Mountains: Policy for a Future Worth Climbing”, the member regions commit to involving young people more closely in decision-making processes and to shaping mountain areas as attractive places to live. Planned measures include investments in mobility, digitalisation, healthcare, education and affordable housing in order to create prospects for the younger generation in the Alpine region and to counteract depopulation.

Vorarlberg assumes the chair

As part of the Conference of Heads of Government, the annually rotating chair of the Alpine alliance was handed over — from the Autonomous Province of Trento in northern Italy to the Region of Vorarlberg.

About ARGE ALP

In addition to Tyrol, ARGE ALP comprises the regions of Salzburg, Vorarlberg and Bavaria, Lombardy, Trento and South Tyrol, as well as the Swiss cantons of Ticino, Graubünden and St Gallen. Tyrol last held the presidency in 2022, the year in which the Alpine alliance celebrated its 50th anniversary. ARGE ALP was founded on 12 October 1972 at the initiative of Eduard Wallnöfer in Mösern, Tyrol. Within ARGE ALP, the member regions jointly address important cross-border issues such as transport, mountain agriculture, energy and climate protection.

Further information on ARGE ALP can be found at: www.argealp.org.