50 years of the Tegernseer Tal protection community: the chairwoman on the loss of homeland and maximizing profits

Created: 05/14/2022, 18:00

By: Gabi Werner

"I've got a thick skin": Angela Brogsitter-Finck, here at Gut Kaltenbrunn against the backdrop of the Tegernsee Valley, has been at the head of the Tegernsee Valley Protection Association since 2006.

© Thomas Plettenberg

The protection community Tegernseer Tal is celebrating an anniversary this year.

For 50 years she has been fighting on countless fronts for the preservation of her homeland - and seldom makes herself popular in the process.

An interview.

Tegernsee Valley

- The conversion of an idyllic Almyll into the hip Saurüssselalm, the planned felling of 19 lime trees in the Tegernsee Kurpark in favor of an underground car park, the expansion plans at the Westerhof: whenever there is a risk of the painful loss of nature and landscape, of originality and identity, the Tegernseer Protection Association gets in touch Tal (SGT) to speak.

In the 50 years of its existence, the association has not only made friends with its – often loud – criticism.

Since 2006, Angela Brogsitter-Finck has been at the forefront of the SGT's goals.

In autumn 2021 she was elected chairwoman for a further three years - it will be her last term of office.

In an interview, the 79-year-old looks back on successes and failures on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of her protection community and explains what drives her personally.

Ms. Brogsitter-Finck, we are sitting here at Gut Kaltenbrunn.

The place symbolizes the commitment of the protection community like no other, right?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

That is absolutely correct.

In Kaltenbrunn, the protection association made a fresh start in 2001.

The later new board met here for the first time at an event by Schörghuber about the planned hotel and got together shortly afterwards.

The old board was totally at odds at the time.

Kaltenbrunn was the lynchpin for the new future of SGT.

And later, in 2008, the probably greatest success of the SGT was celebrated here with the prevention of the large conference and wellness hotel by Stefan Schörghuber.

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

For me it was a miracle!

Nobody could really count on our popular lawsuit being successful.

Back then, Mr. Schörghuber had the best lawyers available.

But we also had support from very important people from the cultural sector and influential personalities - otherwise we would not have been able to pay the costs for the court proceedings.

Since 2006 you have chaired the protection association.

Are there any other milestones that you remember?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

There are always minor successes.

Construction projects cannot usually be prevented, but at least we can get them discussed and the plans maybe sometimes toned down a bit.

Above all, the SGT must be able to deal with setbacks, right?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

That's how it is.

Our efforts often come to nothing.

We can't decide anything, we can only sensitize people so that they take a closer look.

We're not even considered a so-called representative of public interests.

However, we are currently trying to become a recognized landscape protection association.

In order to be heard, it is also important that we join forces with other clubs and organizations.

How does this work?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

We are a member of many important associations, for example the Landscape Conservation Association, the Nature Conservation Union, the State Union for Bird Protection, the Bavarian State Association for Heritage Care and the Association for the Protection of the Mountain World.

As far as the latter is concerned, we support each other in the fight against the Saurüssellm, for example.

Only together we are strong.

Do you feel that the decision-makers take you seriously?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

We are in good contact with all the mayors and many authorities.

I do have the feeling that we are now being taken more seriously and are being included in most projects.

Nevertheless, the opinion of the protection community is not appreciated everywhere.

You often have to put up with hostilities.

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

That's right - I've personally had to listen to a lot.

Also insults.

But I stick to the motto: Once the reputation is ruined, life is unabashed.

We are open to any criticism and invite everyone to engage with us.

For example, everyone can visit our regulars' table.

We are often accused of envy when we criticize a project.

On the other hand, we also get a lot of approval.

The number of our members is increasing.

The SGT used to be noticed by a harsh tone.

Not least because of this, the valley protectors were often insulted as mere obstructors and die-hards.

That has changed.

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

Yes, the way we treat each other and the tone of voice have changed.

This has also increased the acceptance of our association among the locals.

Many now come to the SGT with their problems.

They report to us when trees are felled somewhere or when something else is amiss.

Sometimes I don't get to breakfast until midday because the phone has been ringing all morning (laughs).

The protection association was founded in 1972 to "save what can still be saved from the beautiful landscape around Lake Tegernsee".

A wish that is more relevant today than ever, I guess.

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

Yes, the sale of our homeland is progressing rapidly.

In the meantime, we are also experiencing a cultural change in dealing with the mountains, which were discovered as great potential for consumer-oriented profit maximization - a gutting of our culture.

A certain group of powerful valley entrepreneurs takes over the management and makes our valley their own playing field in the manner of landlords.

Actually, Ischgl should be out, we should reflect on our true identity instead of sacrificing it for a faceless fun society.

When the SGT was founded, the construction cranes in the Tegernsee valley "shot up like mushrooms," explained founding member and local historian Beni Eisenburg.

A construction boom that has intensified over the decades.

What projects have pained you the most?

Angela Brogsitter-Finck:

On the one hand, there is the intensive construction work on the Leeberg.

The development in the Tegernsee Härtlewald also hurt me in particular.

We fought against this with a lot of energy - but it was no use, in the end everything was built.

You know: We only have residences, chalets or ensembles here in the valley.

This is a run-of-the-mill architectural style trimmed to Bavarian.

In the end, the only thing that matters is that it brings enough money.

gave