Ecological Continuum Initiative: Catalysing and Multiplying Alpine Connectivity
The three partners in the Ecological Continuum Initiative are working independently of any project deadlines or political decisions. They have laid the foundations and created a common Alps-wide framework in which people can now take measures at the local level to protect or restore corridors between the habitats of the flora and fauna.
The work of the partners is focussed on the following three targets:
- Initiating, promoting and mentoring activities: Their work and commitment have led to the establishment of the Ecological Network Platform of the Alpine Convention and the ECONNECT project. In 2010 the Continuum Initiative has gathered a large groupe of experts in a "think tank" which is discussing future strategies and activities on Alpine ecological experts.
- Providing know-how: A harmonised methodology for the whole of the Alps, a catalogue of potential measures and a databank of publications and information on relevant projects as well as experts available to help representatives of protected areas, public authorities and environmental organisations in their implementation of activities.
- Awareness-building: The partners are working to convince decisionmakers of the importance of Alps-wide habitat connectivity and to persuade people to make their own contributions to ecological networking. With its major communication campaign "The Wall" the Continuum Initiative is raising awareness on connectivity among a wide public.
The three organisations have been collaborating since 2002 and their work has been funded by the Swiss MAVA Foundation for Nature since 2007.