Common works in the mountain pasture
Marker sticks are wooden documents. They were used to regulate ownership and use rights on the cooperative mountain pastures.
As a reminder of their involvement on the alp, the pupils made their own marker stick.
Joint work is mainly carried out to maintain mountain pastures and to avoid their overgrowth. Today, faced with numerous challenges related to the conditions of mountain agriculture and climate change, farmers are reaching their limits and have less time to devote to their work. Without the rigorous maintenance of the pastures, the quality of the fodder, the landscape and the biodiversity are diminished. Parc Ela has therefore carried out a pilot project in collaboration with farmers and a secondary school. The aim was to pass on knowledge about this joint work and make young people aware of its importance, but also to support the farmers by getting involved with them in the field. The project was a success. It will be renewed, as its development potential has not yet been reached.
The alpine pasture season
Listed as a living tradition in Switzerland, the alpine pasture season is practiced in all the mountain regions of Switzerland ans sometimes has very different realities. It has played a very important social, cultural and economic role for several centuries. Between May and October, the herds summer at high altitude and maintain the characteristics landscapes. They allow the farmes to produce excellent regional products that are recognized far and wide.
The Park Ela-Trek
The Parc Ela project on the common work on the mountain pasture is part of a larger project: the Parc Ela-Trek, based on the transmission of knowledge related to the mountain pasture and on the awareness of the territory of the alpine economy on the Park. From the summer of 2022, this 18-stage trek will invite everyone to discover the many facets of the alpine pasture season experienced in the Park. Link