Almpflegetag im Naturpark Steirische Eisenwurzen

Content: The action day for alpine maintenance brings together alpine farmers and interested members of the public to jointly carry out practical maintenance work on the alpine pastures. The focus is on clearing and gathering emerging shrubs on alpine meadows to preserve open grazing areas. Accompanying this, an excursion in the field will take place. Basic principles of mountain ecology will be conveyed, and the importance of alpine farming for biodiversity, landscape maintenance, and vegetation development will be explained. Participants will gain insights into ecological relationships as well as the practical work of alpine farming while actively contributing to the preservation of the cultural landscape.

Goal: The action day aims to promote understanding of the importance of alpine farming and active alpine pasture maintenance. Through collaborative practical work, participants will learn why measures such as clearing and gathering shrub growth are necessary to conserve open grazing areas. At the same time, the exchange between alpine farmers and the public will be strengthened, and awareness of the role of alpine farming in the maintenance of cultural landscapes, biodiversity, and sustainable use of mountain regions will be sharpened.

Competencies of participants after the event:
After the event, participants can
• explain basic relationships in mountain ecology and alpine vegetation,
• describe the importance of alpine farming for biodiversity, landscape maintenance, and the maintenance of open grazing areas,
• practically apply or understand the purpose of simple measures for alpine pasture maintenance such as clearing and cleaning work,
• recognize and classify changes in vegetation due to abandonment or intensity of use,
• reflect on the role of traditional farming methods for the preservation of alpine cultural landscapes.

Food and beverages will be provided.

Requirements: Sturdy footwear, rain gear, pruning shears or comparable tools, hand saws

Registration is requested by one week before the event!


Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 08:00 AM to 01:30 PM

Location / Meeting point: Bürger Service Center Gams bei Hieflau - Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

Price: Free participation!


Presenter: Susanne Aigner
Managing Director of Ökologiebüro Aigner e. U.
Expert in the field of alpine farming, alpine vegetation ecology, and sustainable use of mountain pastures. In her work, she deals with the development of alpine cultural landscapes, the impact of different farming methods on vegetation and biodiversity, as well as questions related to alpine pasture maintenance. Through her many years of experience in research, consulting, and knowledge transfer, she connects scientific findings with the practice of alpine farming. In her presentations, she vividly conveys ecological interconnections in mountainous regions and demonstrates the importance of active alpine farming for the preservation of species-rich alpine meadows.

Supervision: Nature Conservation Academy Styria

Registration at the following link