Alpine marmot ecology, behaviour and conservation congress

Call for submissions

Alpine marmot ecology, behaviour and conservation congress
Valsavarenche, Gran Paradiso National Park | August 27–29, 2026

In 2026, the long-term Alpine marmot research programme conducted in the Gran Paradiso area will reach its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, we are pleased to invite researchers, students, and wildlife professionals to submit contributions to an international conference dedicated to the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), while also welcoming studies on other marmot species.

The conference will take place in Valsavarenche, offering a valuable opportunity to combine scientific exchange with field-based perspectives in a high-altitude alpine environment. On the third day, participants will visit the long-term research field site of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

Furthermore, all registered participants will have the opportunity to visit, free of charge, the Efisio Noussan Regional Museum of Natural Sciences during the conference days (27–29 August). Museum visits must be booked through the conference registration form.
On 27 August, the arrival day, a guided visit will be organised, including a special focus on the Liskamm marmot and its conservation.

The museum is located in Saint-Pierre and is therefore easily accessible either before travelling to Valsavarenche or on the departure day.
 

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM; detailed program with time and details about activities will come soon.

27 August – Arrival and opening

• First afternoon: meeting and guided tour at the Museum of Natural Sciences and of Liskamm marmot in Saint Pierre
• Moving and arrival of participants in Valsavarenche
• Informal welcome gathering 
• Viewing of the documentary “Le Clan des Marmottes” by Lapiedfilm

28 August – Scientific sessions

• Oral and poster presentations
• Visit to Acqua & Biodiversity Center, environmental education Lab of Gran Paradiso National Park 
• Social dinner

29 August – Field walk

• Guided hike to the long-term marmot research area in Orvieilles (about 1h 30 walking)
• Pic-nic/lunch in the field
• Closing remarks and farewell
   

CONFERENCE TOPICS

We invite oral presentations and posters, addressing (but not limited to) the following thematic areas:

1. Ecology

• Population dynamics and long-term monitoring
• Habitat use, spatial ecology, and landscape features
• Climate change effects on alpine ecosystems and marmot populations

2. Conservation and management

• Conservation status and management strategies for marmots
• Human–wildlife interactions in protected and non-protected areas
• Impacts of tourism, land use, and infrastructure on marmot populations

3. Behaviour, physiology and disease ecology

• Social structure, antipredator strategies, and cooperative behaviours
• Behavioural ecology and individual variations 
• Disease ecology and parasitofauna in Alpine marmots

4. Climate changes and zoological remains

Types of contribution

You can contribute in different ways to the congress:

• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts (max. 300 words, Times New Roman, 12) should clearly state:

• Title and authors
• Objectives
• Methods
• Key results (or expected results for ongoing studies)

Submissions should be written in English.

Important dates

• Abstract submission deadline: 30 April 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 20 May 2026
• Conference dates: 27–29 August 2026

Registration

To register and send your contribution use this form 

https://forms.gle/ArnCGVpAtiSCbEoV7

Fee, other costs & extra activity 

The conference has no registration fee. Please note that meals and accommodation costs are not covered and must be paid directly by participants.

Participants are kindly requested to arrange their own accommodation (hotel, B&B, or camping) for the duration of the conference.
A list of available accommodation options can be found here:
https://www.visitvalsavarenche.com/valsavarenche/ospitalita/

Should you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the organizing committee.

Lunch on 28 August will be organized at a local restaurant at a fixed price for all participants.

Lunch on 29 August will be provided by the Gran Paradiso National Park at the Orvieilles research area.

The conference social dinner will take place at a local restaurant at a fixed price for all participants.

Thanks to the collaboration with the Museum of Natural Sciences Efisio Noussan of the Region Valle d’Aosta, during the conference participants have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Natural Science of Aosta Valley, where it is possible to see the Liskamm marmot!

To register for the guided tour on the 27 th at 2pm or for a free visit during the day of conference use the congress registration form. Here is some information on the Museum.

Why partecipate

To share and discuss research on Alpine marmots!

To foster collaboration among ecologists, behavioural biologists, and conservation practitioners!

How to reach Valsavarenche

• By plane:   the closest airports are:

• Turin Airport (TRN) – approx. 140 km
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – approx. 180 km
• Geneva Airport (GVA) – approx. 190 km

From the airport, Valsavarenche can be reached by train + bus or by rental car.

• By train:  the nearest railway station is Aosta, which is well connected to Turin and Milan.  From Aosta, Valsavarenche can be reached by:

• Regional bus service (Aosta → Valsavarenche)
• Taxi or car rental

• By car: from Turin or Milan:

• Take the A5 motorway towards Aosta
• Exit at Aosta Ovest
• Follow signs for Valsavarenche / Gran Paradiso National Park

The drive from Aosta to Valsavarenche takes approximately 30–40 minutes.

• By public transport: regular regional buses connect Aosta to Valsavarenche, especially during the summer season. Timetables may vary; participants are advised to check updated schedules closer to the conference dates.

Contact:

Caterina Ferrari  +393451749207  ;   caterina.ferrari@pngp.it;  acqua.biodiversita@pngp.it

Foto: Piero Papa