Mountain Commons at SGM 2026 – Call for Abstracts

Historically, numerous common institutions have developed and evolved in many mountain areas to collectively manage natural resources (pastures, water, forests) or infrastructures (irrigation channels, mills, ovens, natural hazard protection structures). During the 20th century, most of these commons have changed and have even disappeared for various reasons. Some have remained relatively stable. Others have been integrated into larger, more complex systems of resource management (e.g. with the development of hydropower schemes in mountain catchments) or have been combined with public institutions for the management of services or activities (e.g. forest management). Moreover, the functions of several of these historical commons have expanded (e.g. agricultural commons [alpine pastures, irrigation channels] that are now also tourist spaces or infrastructure). Most historical commons are now to be considered as transformed commons. In parallel, new forms of mountain commons have emerged and are structured around various types of resources. Examples of new mountain commons include participatory cafés, grocery stores, mountain heritage restoration associations or participatory management bodies for mountain huts.

At the 24th Swiss Geoscience Meeting (20 and 21 November 2026, Fribourg), the Interdisciplinary Centre for Mountain Research (CIRM), the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) and the Forum Landscape, Alps, Parks (FoLAP) are organising a session on the historical development, transformations and new forms of Commons in Mountain Regions. Conceptual contributions as well as case studies from the Alps and other mountain regions on historical commons, transformed commons, new commons, management and internal governance challenges, institutional issues and commoning dynamics are particularly welcome.

The call for abstracts is open until 28 August 2026. Submit your abstract here and make sure to select session 26. Mountain Commons.