Alpine
Short seasons, altitude zonation
Is this your bioregion?
Regions: Alps (Europe), Pyrenees, Carpathians, Rocky Mountains (USA/Canada), Andes, and more...
Countries: Switzerland, Austria, Italy (North), France (Alps), Nepal, Bhutan, Peru, Bolivia, Colorado/Montana (USA), British Columbia (Canada), Norway, New Zealand
Mountain regions compress climate zones vertically—what takes hundreds of kilometers horizontally occurs in hundreds of meters of elevation. Growing seasons are intense but brief. Survival depends on maximizing short summers and preparing thoroughly for long winters.
Survival Priorities
Season Extension
Cold frames, greenhouses, and microclimate selection stretch precious growing days.
See Chapter 4 →Winter Storage
Root cellars, fermentation, and drying preserve summer's bounty for 6+ month winters.
See Chapter 3 →Heating Systems
Efficient wood stoves, passive solar, and super-insulation for extreme cold.
See Chapter 6 →Your 2-Year Action Plan
Track your progress. Your checklist saves automatically.
Quick Start Card
5 actions you can start TODAY. Print this and put it on your fridge.
Alpine Bioregion: Start Today
- 1.Assess your microclimates—south-facing slopes are gold
- 2.Build or plan cold season extension structures
- 3.Calculate winter heating needs and fuel sources
- 4.Learn traditional mountain preservation techniques
- 5.Connect with mountain farming communities
weltaufgang.org/bioregions/alpine
Key Species
"Mountain saying: "Make hay while the sun shines." In short seasons, timing is everything. Be ready when conditions align."
Find Local Projects
Connect with restoration and regeneration projects in your area. Learn from what others are doing, volunteer, or find collaborators.
Restor.eco
Global platform with 150,000+ restoration sites. Find projects near you, connect with practitioners, and access ecological data.
Can't find local projects? You might be the one to start. Use our Community Toolkit to organize your first neighbourhood meeting.
Deep Dive: Your Bioregion
Mountain and Alpine Regions
Complete guidance for your bioregion including climate-adapted practices, local case studies, and a detailed transition plan.
Foundation Reading
These chapters provide essential skills that apply to your bioregion: