Entrance permitted - Integrative dynamic nature conservation in Nature Parks
The “Oö. Akademie für Umwelt und Natur” and the Association of Austrian Nature Parks invited from the 20th to the 21st of May 2010 in the Nature Park Mühlviertel. Experts from several countries discussed successful strategies for an integrative dynamic nature conservation as well as successful examples from the Nature Parks with more than 40 participants.
Hannes Kunisch (Oö. Akademie für Umwelt und Natur) started the convention in Rechberg and presented the challenges and demands of the mandatory nature conservation. Because of the social acceptance, as well as the reaching of nature conservation intends it requires suitable nature conservation strategies. Bgm. Obm. Johann Thauerböck and manager Barbara Derntl of the Nature Park Mühlviertel introduced this landscape protection area whose small-scale man-made landscape offers many nature specific features, like Wackelsteine and Blockburgen. Their declared purpose is to preserve the meadows and wet grasslands. To reach this goal, communication comes first in the Nature Park. Franz Handler (Association of Austrian Nature Parks) introduced the study „New models of nature landscape protection and cultural landscape protection in Austrian Nature Parks“. This shows how the Nature Parks position themselves to the demands of the integrative nature conservation.
Styrian environmental lawyer Ute Pöllinger is responsible for complaints about nature conservation damages and essential environmental problems. Many projects maintain the same areas and because of that generate the same nature conservation problems. To be able to meet such problems adequately, it is necessary to find strategies which include all projects.
 Guests expect from the Nature Parks nature conservation competence |
Norbert Weixlbaumer (Institute of geography and regional research, University of Vienna) thinks that large protection areas are driving forces for rural areas – in particular Nature Parks with her integrative development concepts. The successful factor for them is the integrated preservation management. |
 „Because of the quick change the future is not any more what it used to be“ |
Pierre L. Ibisch (Fachhochschule Eberswalde, Fachgebiet Naturschutz) honors the Nature Parks as anchors of nature conservation, although they are often considered as tourist brands. For him the challenge consists in letting all local actors participate in the development of the protected area management. |
With the increasing requirements in nature conservation – not only because of the Natura 2000-directives – Mark Ressel (grünes handwerk – büro für angewandte ökologie) believes that a nature conservation dictated "from above" isn´t sufficient to reach the necessary acceptance. Nature conservation is a classical sector in which the individuals must be perceived as a determining factor and be included.
The negative effects of the overgrowing of large areas with trees on the tourism were recognized in the Nature Park Weissensee very early. Already in 1995 the municipality reacted with the „Model of the ecological surface management of Weissensee“, reported Robert Heuberger (Regionalmanagement Kärnten). Earnings of the municipality are used to pay the farmers for the free-keeping of meadows and alps.
 For Josef Limberger the raising of awareness is a priority goal. |
The project „Habitat Nature Park Obst-Hügel-Land“ from the Naturschutzbund Oberösterreich and the Nature Park Obst-Hügel-Land unites contractual and awareness-building actions for the preservation and protection of the meadows and other important structures of the man-made landscape, reported Josef Limberger (Naturschutzbund Oberösterreich). |
A picture of the changing world drew Richard Bauer (Österreich Werbung). In the following competences lie the biggest chances to successful competitive differentiation: Nature, culture, culinary, regeneration and encounter. The trend in the direction of turning away from artificial experience continues; a large part of the guests wants to enjoy no artificial highlights, but intact nature.
Bernard Goršak (Park Goričko) following untypical ways to preservation of meadows. He does not work superficially on measures for the protection of the wryneck (Jynx torquilla), but makes a detour about the increase of the added value. The investments, among other things in a tree nursery and a mobile press, were very successful and created other innovative subsequent projects.
 „Communication is not only information, but the exchange of ideas“ |
The nature conservation models in Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland were compared by Franz Handler (Association of Austrian Nature Parks). He presented the Nature Parks as important contacts in the regions and so they are the ideal instrument to accomplish the strategies of integrative dynamic nature conservation. |
Ernst Partl (Nature Park Kaunergrat) harmonizes protection and utilization and connects the preservation of dry grasslands for which grazing is essential, with the possibility to earn a living for the farmers. A special highlight of pastural agriculture is the use of goat milk from the „Fließer Sonnenhängen”: the product is the cheese „Kaisermantel".
The Nature Park Weißbach realizes the nature conservation plan on four alps, in cooperation with the nature conservation department. The measure is offered to all farmers who cultivate alps in protected areas. With personal guidance for the farmers the nature conservation plan is realized, reported Christine Klenovec (Nature Park Weißbach). So the function of the Nature Park is to reach a development of nature conservation.
 Nature interpretation as a contribution to nature conservation |
The change to integrative nature conservation took place in the Nature Park Purkersdorf within the last ten years. Gabriela Orosel (Naturpark Purkersdorf – Sandstein-Wienerwald) presented the major tasks of the close to town Nature Park, which lie among other things in the preservation of the attraction of the protected area and the strengthening of the identification of the local population. In this Nature Park nature interpretation is practiced for many years on high standards. |
Discussion:
- Also about indirect routes one comes to the aim (example of the wryneck in the Park Goričko)
- Communication is important – nature conservation starts in the head
- To reach nature conservation aims is a stony way; communication must be made right
- Nature conservation only works if one starts in many levels
- Communication also means to accept values – to talk about it is the central point
- Main motive for travelers is and remains nature
- The results of the Lower Austrian survey show that for the public nature conservation is most important
- Nature conservation and Nature Parks should make their achievements more clear: It must be transported more offensively
- Tourism and nature conservation are no contrasts!
- Key factor for success: integrate actors into innovative projects
- Nature conservation competence is expected from the Nature Parks from inhabitants and guests
- The extraordinary about Nature Parks is the development of cooperation (of tourism, agriculture, forestry and nature conservation): Here different claims exist.
Communication – a central topic of the conference
At the tour to the open-air museum “Großdöllnerhof” nature interpreter Nikola Jakadofsky led through the exhibitions „Footprint – our ecological footprint“ and „Folk medicine and superstition“.
The Großdöllnerhof – museum …
… and convention center
Introduction:
Johannes Kunisch, Oö. Akademie für Umwelt und Natur
Franz Handler, Association of Austrian Nature Parks
Johann Thauerböck, Naturpark Mühlviertel
Barbara Derntl, Naturpark Mühlviertel
| Johann Thauerböck, Naturpark Mühlviertel | Natur im Naturpark Mühlviertel |
Barbara Derntl, Naturpark Mühlviertel
| Referee: | Topic: |
| Ute Pöllinger Umweltanwaltschaft Steiermark |
Strategische Überlegungen für die Erreichung und Umsetzung von Naturschutzzielen |
| Norbert Weixlbaumer University of Vienna |
Naturparke – Betreten immer erlaubt! Welche Motive, Erwartungshaltungen und Erfolgsaussichten? |
| Pierre L. Ibisch Fachhochschule Eberswalde, Fachgebiet Naturschutz |
Naturschutz in Naturparken – Potenziale, Herausforderungen und Handlungsoptionen |
| Mark Ressel grünes handwerk - büro für angewandte ökologie |
Integrativer Naturschutz – Naturschutz durch Kommunikation |
| Robert Heuberger Regionalmanagement Kärnten |
Tourismus hilft Naturschutz – Kulturlandschaftserhaltung im Naturpark Weissensee |
| Josef Limberger Naturschutzbund Oberösterreich |
Naturschutzprojekte als Bereicherung des Lebensraumes Obst-Hügel-Land |
| Richard Bauer Österreich Werbung |
Haben naturnahe Angebote in Zukunft noch Chancen auf gesättigten Märkten? |
| Bernard Goršak Park Goričko |
Streuobsterhaltung im Osten Sloweniens |
| Franz Handler Association of Austrian Nature Parks |
Natur- und Kulturlandschaftsschutz in europäischen Naturparken |
| Ernst Partl Nature Park Kaunergrat |
Die Trockenrasen im Naturpark Kaunergrat – Schützen und Nützen im Einklang |
| Christine Klenovec Nature Park Weißbach |
Naturschutzplan auf der Alm im Naturpark Weißbach |
| Gabriela Orosel Nature Park Purkersdorf - Sandstein-Wienerwald |
Naturschutz durch stadtnahe Naturvermittlung im Naturpark Purkersdorf |
*) On the German homepage the presentations of the referees can be downloaded.
The Association of Austrian Nature Parks thanks all participants and is looking forward to another good cooperation!
