Film For hermits and fire salamanders

How municipalities connect habitats in the Alps


Hermit, fire salamander, German tamarisk and many more: a total of some 43,000 plant and animal species live in the Alps. They must be able to move freely in order to thrive and reproduce. In a recently released short film, CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, gives examples of how municipalities can take appropriate steps to benefit both animals and plants.

In many ways throughout the Alps, functioning connections between habitats are broken, often without thinking and usually permanently. The habitats for animals become patchy, species diversity is reduced and some species disappear altogether. “It is urgently necessary to think and act for Nature”, says CIPRA project manager Aurelia Ullrich-Schneider.

People profit too

The film “For hermits and fire salamanders – How municipalities connect habitats in the Alps” gives examples of how municipalities can contribute to maintaining the natural diversity of the Alps. Representatives from the Isère département in France, the Engadin in Switzerland and South Tyrol explain how they all contribute to connecting habitats. Each emphasises that it is not just nature that profits, but also people. “I think the film is very relevant and clearly shows Alpine municipalities that taking account of landscapes and biodiversity improves their quality of life and sustainable development. The film successfully gets this core message across”, states Antonio Chiadò, vice-chairman of the “Alliance in the Alps” network of municipalities.


Useful accompanying material


> order the DVD for free at CIPRA

Useful accompanying material

Brochure Step by Step to ecological connectivity (German, English, French, Italian)

Catalogue of possible steps to take (Measures catalogue)

Fact sheet local communities (German, French, Italian)

Expert database

Interactive map showing the networking potential (Jecami)

Overview information services

Overview downloads and documents


10.3.2013, Nieuwegein, NL: Mountain sports day of the mountaineering association NKBV

18.6.2013, Prato di Resia, I: 11th meeting of the Platform Ecological Network of the Alpine Convention (not open to the public)