The Educate pillar is an integral part of the non-profit organisation PATRON. We are driven by our love of the diverse and beautiful nature of the Allgäu region. And thus the start of a great journey. Through workshops, courses and events, we want to get our message out there and, step by step, raise awareness for a life in harmony with nature.
The trend of bikepacking has not passed us by either. Together with Protect Our Winters (POW) France, we organised our first PATRON bikepacking workshop during the Black Forest CleanUP Days. EVOC Sports joined us as a partner – a perfect match! Tobias Reischle is not only a product designer at EVOC, but also a bike packing expert, and he gave us an insight into sustainable bike packing: You should consider whether you really need to fly halfway around the world for a tour or whether you can start from home. When planning your tour, you should also consider whether the route passes through nature reserves and what you need to be aware of there. To make sure you don't forget anything, he always recommends making a packing list – whether you're going on a weekend trip or a longer tour. It's also important to choose equipment that is durable and high quality. Then nothing will stand in the way of your adventure. And if you see trash on the trail and have the opportunity to pick it up and take it with you to the next trash can, you'll leave nature even better than you found it.
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Tobias Reischle is a product designer at EVOC Sports and a bikepacking expert. We asked him what sustainable bikepacking means to him. We talk about what to consider when planning a tour, packing and choosing equipment.
What does that mean and what's behind it?
A big attraction of a ski or splitboard tour is the possibility of being able to go and ski anywhere and cross-country. And of course the fresh powder. But is that really the case? In order to be in harmony with nature as much as possible, we recommend that you prepare for the tour accordingly. This includes checking the weather forecast and the avalanche report. Is the tour in a nature reserve? Some tour planner apps will show you the areas and possible regulations. And finally, safety is of course extremely important. So always pack the necessary equipment.
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We met up with Christina and Verena from POW Austria (Protect our Winters), Denise (ranger at the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park) and mountain guide Stefan to talk about this very topic. Watch the video series, pick up a few tips and get inspired for your next conscious tour.
Trail running is becoming more and more popular. That's why we've teamed up with SALTY Trailrunning to offer a workshop together. Trail running is not just about running cross-country and being as fast as possible, but about awareness. Rather, you should run on the designated trails and leave the wildlife their space. Close pasture gates behind you and respect cordoned-off paths or pastures. And if you find litter along the way, you can put it in your waistcoat and dispose of it at home. Awareness is everything.
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Stefan Ehrmeier is a licenced trail running guide and co-founder of SALTY Trailrunning. As an expert, he tells us what trail running means to him and what he looks out for when planning a trail run, as well as on the trail. And who knows, maybe you'll be bitten by the bug and start a trail run - consciously, of course.
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Together with the Bergwald Offensive, we organised a basecamp workshop ‘back to the forest’. The participants learnt many interesting facts from the foresters about the functions and challenges of the Allgäu mountain forest. The highlight was a joint tree planting campaign to contribute to the reforestation of the forest. In the interview, Nina from the Bergwald Offensive also gives us an insight into the local forest and the effects of climate change in particular.
PATRON BASE CAMP. Get together at the office in Pfronten and learn about specific topics from experts. Always included: good coffee, snacks and the PATRON team.
PATRON CLEANUP WORKSHOP. At a tour stop, the PATRON team talks and provides information on topics such as the impact of waste in nature and how to enjoy outdoor activities in a nature-friendly way.
YOUNG PATRON. Equipped with CleanUP kits and teaching materials, teachers can take the classroom outside together with their pupils. This allows children to actively learn at school what contribution they can make to protecting nature and the environment. Because: ‘The children of today are the society of tomorrow.'
A big thanks goes out to our partners & sponsors of the PATRON workshops. We are really happy & proud to be able to say that we are supported by you! Without you, the joint workshops and events would not be possible in this form!
"Everyone is enthusiastic about something, and only those who are enthusiastic are prepared to take on responsibility."
Christian "Voggy"