One more ViViAlp terminal

Date :: 01/09/2010
Keywords :: Communication Environmental Education and Awareness Raising

The Ecrins National Park in France has just installed its second ViViAlp terminal as part of the redevelopment of the la Chapelle en Valgaudemar visitor centre. The existing centre has been extended so as to be able to include a presentation of the valley's natural resources and to create space for permanent and temporary exhibitions. Making the visitor centre accessible to all has been a priority: several tools have been created for visitors with reduced mobility and for visitors with hearing and visual impairments.

Plans to expand tool's coverage

The ViViAlp terminal offers a virtual tour of the Alpine protected areas . It is a joint communication tool that has been developed by around a dozen ALPARC park managers with funding from the EU's Alpine Space programme. It is an entertaining way for visitors to explore the Alps in 3D and in images, viewing the different protected areas and the natural and cultural points of interest found there. The terminals have been in use for three years now, and are due to be updated in 2011. Any protected areas wishing to be included are invited to contact us.

A network of 15 terminals across the Alps

The Alpine network of protected areas currently has 15 terminals in the following locations:

Germany: visitor centre, Berchtesgaden National Park.
Austria: BIOS visitor centre (Carinthia), Mittersill visitor centre (Salzburg) and Matrei visitor centre (Tyrol), Hohe Tauern National Park.
France: Vallouise and Valgaudemar visitor centres, Ecrins National Park; Termignon visitor centre, Vanoise National Park; Maison des Parcs et de la Montagne, Chambéry.
Italy: Toblach visitor centre, Tre Cime Nature Park; Alpine Museum in Fort Bard, Mont Avic Natural Park; Cogne visitor centre, Gran Paradiso National Park and the Museum of Natural History in Turin.
Slovenia: Information centre, Škocjan Caves Regional Park; Triglav National Park information centre, Bled.
Switzerland: visitor centre in Swiss National Park, Zernez.

The ALPARC Task Force also has a mobile terminal which can be used at any public events whilst a simplified version can be viewed online via Google Earth .

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