Abstract ID: 3.5517 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Guided grazing of livestock on alpine summer pastures plays a vital role in fostering biodiversity, preserving landscapes, enhancing animal welfare, and upholding local traditions. Despite its significant ecological and socio-economic benefits, this practice has declined in the Alps, and the shepherding profession has been increasingly marginalized in recent decades. The return of wolves and the growing need for livestock protection on alpine pastures have brought renewed attention to this profession. However, socio-economic shifts in agriculture have taken a toll. Skilled shepherds are now scarce, face precarious working conditions, and receive little to no compensation for the valuable ecosystem services they provide. This presentation highlights efforts undertaken in South Tyrol, Italy, over the past five years to revitalize the shepherding profession as part of the European LIFEstockProtect project and related initiatives. Initially focused on the need for professional shepherds to protect livestock from wolves, these efforts quickly expanded to emphasize the broader role of shepherds in supporting ecosystems, biodiversity, and cultural traditions. Finally, the presentation offers recommendations for future income strategies to foster the revalorization of shepherding, enhance livestock protection, and promote biodiversity conservation.