News

New materials on mountain protection and “leaving no trace”

18.05.2021

The Feminist Hiking Collective has launched the “Edelweiss Resist” campaign to raise awareness about mountain ecosystem protection. For the campaign, the Collective has developed materials on “leave no trace” practices and feminist mountain protection for hiking and trekking.

The Edelweiss is not a single flower but rather a cluster made up of several flowers grouped together, gathered inside white leaves and arranged in the shape of a star. It is the collection of different flowers that together make the Edelweiss a wonderful and resilient flower. Despite its fragile appearance, every part of the flower is designed to survive extreme mountain weather conditions – from the wind-resistant underground stems, to the evapotranspiration-limiting leaves, to the woolly bracts whose microstructure protects against ultraviolet rays.

For the Feminist Hiking Collective, the Edelweiss represents the feminist protection of the mountains: a collective commitment and practice where everyone has a fundamental and indispensable role.

The materials for the campaign include a double-sided summary leaflet along with stickers and 18 digital postcards. All are available in English, German and Italian. Those interested are invited to use the materials both online and offline, possibly during hikes and walks to be left in mountain huts with the permission of the hut manager.

The practices in the campaign materials are not comprehensive of all the diverse and plural mountain protection practices, but they contain a few impactful examples. The “leave no trace" practices included in the materials are the result of the work of the Centre for Outdoor Ethics.

To take part in the collective campaign and raise awareness of mountain protection, download the material here. For more information, contact [email protected].