Abstract
Shepherds hold a central role in traditional herd protection, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of regions like South Tyrol. Despite their importance and growing recognition from society, the economic and legal conditions of this profession are far from adequate. Beyond their essential role in protecting herds, shepherds can bring substantial ecological value when they possess knowledge in biodiversity, botany, and guided grazing practices. Through active shepherding, landscape upkeep can be significantly improved, contributing to ecological outcomes such as preventing habitat degradation from overgrowth and shrub encroachment. In South Tyrol, the issue of coexistence with wolves is fraught with difficulty due to local resistance and low acceptance. Simultaneously, the decline of traditional grazing practices threatens to lead to the loss of unique and valuable habitats. Collaborative efforts through the LIFEstockProtect project are exploring how a contract-based nature conservation framework could be introduced to South Tyrol, providing a sustainable means of funding and professionalizing the shepherding profession. This approach aims to create mutual benefits for conservation and agriculture by recognizing and rewarding previously uncompensated ecosystem services. This talk will focus on real-world examples, the challenges involved, and the perspectives from on-the-ground experiences. It will demonstrate how revitalizing and professionalizing the shepherding sector can bolster herd protection while enhancing ecological stewardship. The presentation will also examine how, with the right support and resources, shepherds can play a pivotal role in fostering biodiversity conservation alongside sustainable agricultural practices, even in areas where wolves are present. Enhancing professional development within shepherding may lead to more harmonious human-wildlife coexistence, particularly with large predators like wolves.