Working on the mountain pasture

Despite its proximity to the Brenner Pass, the Valsertal, a side valley of the Wipptal, has remained a small haven of tranquillity away from the crowds of tourists. However, the idyll of the mountain pastures there is threatened by the retreat of mountain farming. In order to stop the mountain pastures from becoming overgrown, the "School of the Alpine Pasture" association was founded a few years ago, where volunteers help to look after the pastures and pass on their knowledge.

Every year, the volunteer platform "Team Karwendel" organises several projects for dedicated helpers in the nature park of the same name. This often involves helping to maintain alpine pastures, but also cleaning ponds, repairing fences in the Großer and Kleiner Ahornboden and pruning mountain pines. For stays of several days with overnight accommodation, for example in a hut, accommodation and meals are provided.

During the warmer months of the year, volunteers can lend a hand at the environmental construction sites and mountain forest projects organised by the Austrian Alpine Club and the Alpine Club Youth throughout Tyrol. Over a period of around one week, depending on the location, trees are planted, paths are paved, mountain farmers are supported in mowing alpine meadows or pastures are cleared of stones. Accommodation and meals are free, age requirements vary.

When the workload on alpine pastures and mountain farms becomes so great, especially in summer, that the farming families can no longer cope without help, the "Freiwillig am Bauernhof" association and the machinery ring step in. Every year, they organise numerous volunteer assignments in North and East Tyrol. The volunteers help in groups with haymaking, stable work, housework or childcare. Accommodation and meals are free of charge.