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Euromontana launches discussion forum for pastoral schools across Europe

06.04.2022

In June 2022, Euromontana will launch a discussion forum among different pastoral schools across Europe. Organized in the framework of the LIFE ShepForBio project, this discussion forum aims to create a common space where pastoral schools across Europe can meet up, exchange their experiences, learn from each other, and discuss about common challenges and potential collaborations.

As evidenced in the OREKA MENDIAN study, pastoralism is essential to keep mountain areas livable and productive. Yet across Europe, most countries are gradually losing their knowledge on pastoral practices due to ageing, outmigration from mountain areas, and the shift of pastoralism to a part-time activity. The loss of pastoral knowledge is worrisome, and it risks downsizing natural biodiversity and local livestock breeds, as well as exacerbating the unsustainable use of resources needed for livestock.

Euromontana pledges to preserve pastoral knowledge, as well as to make it attractive for new generations and fit for twenty-first century challenges, such as climate change and lack of competitiveness in the face of globalization pressure. Shepherding schools have a big role in this direction.

Within the discussion forum, different pastoral schools will have the opportunity to meet up regularly over the next years and discuss their own experiences, best practices and challenges. The final aim is to create a European network of pastoral schools that can build on each other’s successes and difficulties and set up future collaborations.

The first meeting of the discussion forum will take place in June 2022. If you represent a pastoral school and would like to participate in the discussion forum, fill in this survey to express your interest.

News by Euromontana - read more

On 15 March 2022, the United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists - learn more.

Photo: ©Patricia Quillacq