ECONNECT - Restoring the web of life

The ECONNECT project aims at improving ecological connectivity in the Alps. It is part of the Alpine Space Programme of the EU and lasts from September 2008 to August 2011. ECONNECT disposes of 3.2 million Euro of public funding (shared between the EU and national or regional authorities). Sixteen partners (the consortium of the Ecological Continuum Initiative, together with institutional, scientific and administrative partners from all over the Alps, led by the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology Vienna, Austria) are initiating and supporting the implementation of ecological networks in the Alps.

The project will enable pilot regions to cooperate using harmonised methods and data. Ecological and anthropogenic barriers will be identified for defined groups of species and recommendations for reducing migration obstacles will be given. Increasing the compatibility of the legal framework for cross-boundary cooperation of regions and of protected areas is another important field of activities within ECONNECT. In seven pilot regions, concrete actions will be taken to improve, create or restore ecological connectivity. Furthermore, attention will be paid to make the project idea and goals known to decision-makers, stakeholders and the broad public and to improve networking and the flow of information between the partners and co-partners of ECONNECT.

3rd project newsletter (March 2010), 2nd project newsletter (September2009), 1st project newsletter (March 2009)