Envirotrek Series 2013 clean up European mountains! ‘Let’s keep our Playground Clean!’

Published by Mountainblog on .

Envirotrek 2013 from Respect the Mountains on Vimeo.

For the fifth year running, Respect The Mountains produced the Envirotrek Clean Up Series, in co-operation with KEEN Footwear. As a result of these eight events this summer, the campaign generated:
– 1130 hands-on, Clean Up hours by 565 mountain tourists and locals;
– 2630 kilo’s of waste which included 335 garbage bags, scrap metals, car tires, car doors
and more;
– across 5 different European countries during the summer holiday season;
– awareness to both other holiday makers and locals in 8 locations.

There are estimated to be 100 million visitors in the European Alps each year, which presents a huge challenge in preserving these mountain environments. There is a growing need to provide necessary awareness campaigns to ensure mountain tourists are aware of the pressures that these popular holiday destinations are under. To give back to these nature
areas, Respect the Mountains organises the Envirotrek Clean Up Series: hikes to enjoy nature and help her by – simply – cleaning up. A simple way of giving back that is enjoyable and effective.
100 people took part in Envirotrek in 2009, more than 200 participants were involved in 2010, and in 2011 participants collected 160 bags of rubbish. The Event Series was taken to another level again in 2012 where almost 500 people were involved. Now in 2013, the 5th year running, 2630 kilo’s of garbage was collected!

Respect the Mountains awareness reached more mountain tourists and provided essential awareness to a wider tourist audience. Together Respect the Mountains and KEEN Footwear are committed to caring for European Mountain areas, so that future generations can enjoy these special environments.
Respect the Mountains also received a 20.000 euro funding grant from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) for their Envirotrek Clean Up Series in 2012 en 2013, and was also supported by Barefoot Wine, Bergans of Norway and our local partners and volunteers. Respect the Mountains and partners look forward to Envirotrek 2014!

Locations of Envirotrek Clean Up Series 2013

  • Peak District, United Kingdom
  • Lake District, United Kingdom
  • Schoorl, The Netherlands
  • Eifel, Germany
  • Mayrhofen- Hippach, Austria
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
  • Samoëns, France
  • Schwarzwald, Germany

Envirotrek
Envirotrek is an event series with three focus points:
1. To deliver crucial mountain clean up hours;
2. To promote positive mountain awareness; and
3. To build community through cooperation and networking.
It is an all age event that is fun, educational and one that makes real impact in fragile mountain environments.
The basic Envirotrek structure: Morning mountain cleanup activity focused on an area with a need for rubbish/waste removal. Participants are equipped with safety equipment.
Lunchtime delicious barbeque and community building through networking Afternoon adventurous mountain sports activity (skill development, experience, fun and an opportunity to enjoy what the mountains offer through active mountain sports)

More Info:
Respect The Mountains