Support OPPAL & human-wildlife cohabitation

Who are we?

We are a crew of trail runners from Patagonia offices across Europe: Rikkert, Moses, Lucas, Daniela, Magali, Jay, Manuela, Marek, Patrick & Emma.

In July 2024, we will participate in the Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB – running a combined 500km on Swiss ruthless mountain trails.

While we are crazy enough to do this “just for fun”, we will need something to lift our spirit while battling with technical downhill or climbing the famous “wall”. A positive thought to hold on to. A beacon of light in the darkness of the pain cave.

Here comes the idea: what if our race could support a local NGO?

What is OPPAL?

OPPAL (Organization for the Protection of Alpine Pastures) is on a mission to defend biodiversity and improve the cohabitation between human activities and wolves in the Swiss Alps.

Their main activities include:

Monitoring

The monitoring program hires volunteer watchmen (it could be you!) to relieve shepherds of the burden of night watches and ensure a continuous surveillance of the sheep flocks during the night.

©Fabian Leu

Raising awareness

The awareness program offers workshops to inform young and old people about wolves and cohabitation with wildlife in a fun and engaging way. OPPAL believes that the peaceful reintroduction of wolves and a better cohabitation between Humans and Wildlife requires a better knowledge and understanding of Nature in a broader sense.

©Michel Barras - ©OPPAL

‍Science

The science program collaborates with research institutes to share information and data collected by volunteers in the field.

©Valérie Meizoz - ©Clément Von Der Weid

OPPAL’s impact in 2023

• 55 owners of livestock supported

• 18,620 hours of night watch

• 16 mountain pastures monitored

How will your donation make a difference?

Here is how OPPAL will use the money raised:

To learn more about OPPAL: https://oppal.ch/en/

(Banner photo credit: ©Fabian Leu - ©AFP- Fabrice Coffrini)