Alta Badia Green Sustainability Rooted in the Territory

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

May 23, 2025
unnamed (6)

Summer in Alta Badia is once again enriched by ATIRA, a series of events and excursions focused on sustainability. In the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this initiative marks a tangible step toward more mindful and respectful tourism.

The GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification was the starting point of a deep commitment to making the destination a model of environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability.

In Alta Badia, speaking of sustainability means speaking of genuine values: Amur (Love), Teritore (Land), Insegnamënt (Education), Respet (Respect), and Ambiënt (Environment). ATIRA was born from this deep-rooted connection to the land — a Ladin word meaning “now” — and it serves as a call to immediate action through small but meaningful gestures.

ATIRA is more than just a name: it’s a summer-long program of events and excursions that engages both visitors and locals in a journey toward greater sustainability awareness. Guided by local experts, each activity offers the chance to see the mountains through a new lens, understand their delicate balance, and learn how to protect them. With ATIRA, participants don’t just observe — they become active stewards of the Dolomites.

ALL EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED WITHIN ATIRA

MYCOLOGY: THE FOREST THROUGH THE EYES OF A MUSHROOM

Andrea, a passionate mycologist, will take the participants on an adventure of discovery in the world of mushrooms, discovering their ecological role and their medicinal properties. With Andrea it will be possible to observe the forest from the point of view of the mushroom, which is not simply a fruit of the earth, but the mediator between all forms of life in the forest ecosystem. The walk takes place in the woods of La Val, which are home to a variety of mushrooms that go beyond the well-known porcini and chanterelles. Andrea turns the walk into a real sensory and cognitive journey, where each mushroom encountered is the pretext for a tale of ecology, biology and chemistry. You will discover the kingdom of mushrooms and their extraordinary medicinal properties, which have often anticipated the new frontiers of pharmacological research. The events will take place on July 18, August 8 and 22, from 9.30 to 12.30.

THE FARMER: GUARDIAN OF THE MOUNTAIN PASTURES

The afternoon includes a simple walk in the company of a young farmer, guardian of the Ladin agricultural tradition, who accompanies the participants on the meadows he cultivates. On June 27, July 25 and September 12 the farmer will show participants the art and science of mowing, explaining them the importance and necessity of this practice. He also explains the different methods used, the timing of mowing during the summer and how each type of cut affects the subsequent use of the hay.

Thanks to the young farmer, it is easier to understand how the consequences of not taking care of mountain meadows and pastures can cause not only aesthetic damage, but above all environmental damage. The participants also understand the importance of respecting the meadows and appreciates the hard work of the farmers who, season after season, look after these spaces that are vital for the mountain ecosystem. The activity ends with a guided tour of the barn and hayloft. Here guests can get a closer look at the life of a mountain farmer, the animals, the tools used for mowing and managing the meadows, and discover how hay is harvested, stored and used.

ALTA BADIA ECO-HIKER: GENTLE HIKING, SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The goal of “Alta Badia Eco-Hiker” is to sensitise hikers about environmental protection and the very fragile ecosystem of the Dolomites, because far too often waste and rubbish are scattered in nature. During the Alta Badia Eco-Hiker appointments, which will be held again in summer 2025 (July 11, August 22 and September 5), hikers will be given the opportunity to actively engage with nature: Accompanied by Alessia a local expert and ambassador of Alta Badia, participants will be equipped with gloves, tools, bio-bags and more to pick up the waste they find along their path across meadows and woods and take it back to the valley. The experience ends with a picnic, organised by Alessia, as a thank you for the commitment to the environment. Each guest will be given an environmentally friendly box, which will help reduce the use of packaging when snacking in the mountains.

Reservations for individual activities are compulsory and can be made online at www.altabadia.org, or directly at the tourist offices in Alta Badia.