Alpine pasture season has been documented widely since the late Middle Ages, with its many variations and local specificities. To take advantage of the extra forage, cattle, sheep, and goats are driven to high-altitude pastures between May and October. Men and women work on maintaining pastures, fencing, and buildings, managing their herds, and caring for their animals.
Alpine pasture season has created a variety of social practices, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to maintain sites and utensils. There are rituals, costumes, and local calendar celebrations, such as the inalpe (alpine cattle ascent), désalpe (alpine cattle descent), and, depending on the region, midsummer, or events that honor the most prestigious cow.
Alpine know-how is often transmitted informally. In Alpine societies and cooperatives, knowledge is passed on between families and seasonal employees. Vocational training centers in the region also teach livestock farming, livestock care, and pasture management skills. In addition to basic agricultural training, these schools offer advanced courses specific to the Alpine economy. Through the inscription, the agricultural, cultural, and traditional practices of different regions are recognized as a common, shared heritage. The inscription would foster a better understanding of intangible cultural heritage as a body of knowledge that can accommodate people under difficult conditions (climate change, management of common property).
Alpine economy societies and agricultural cooperatives serve as major safeguards. Through their existence, these organizations transmit and ensure the viability of Alpine practices. They are managed by bearers. An important measure is certification of alpine products' origin and quality and inventorying of their culinary heritage. Cooperatives and Alpine societies maintain and develop infrastructure (cowsheds, milking parlors, houses, drinking troughs, water supply, and drainage) as well as cheese aging facilities and sales areas. Alpine pastures are kept open to avoid reforestation, biodiversity is promoted, and the built heritage is maintained. Authorities support agricultural measures (guard dogs, enclosures) taken by farmers in response to the return of large predators.
Aside from raising awareness, nature and environmental education projects, and volunteer work (pasture maintenance), regional nature parks, museums, and tourist organizations also contribute to the preservation of Alpine heritage. There are modules specifically designed for the alpine economy and the management of alpine pastures that are financed by the cantons (basic and continuing education). Also, the federal and cantonal governments support sales promotion, research, and advisory projects.