Successful models of the cultural landscape conservation in Nature Parks - Nature Park mayor-convention
The Association of Austrian Nature Parks invited together with the Upper Austrian government on the 20th of October 2011 to the Nature Park mayor-convention „Successful models of the cultural landscape conservation in Nature Parks“ in the new agrarian education centre Salzkammergut (ABZ). In Altmünster experts from Austria and foreign countries discussed successful projects and indicated possibilities of cooperation and financing for how the man-made landscape of the Nature Parks can be preserved in the future.
About 60 international participants were welcomed by Dir. DI Franz Fellinger as the first convention guests in the ABZ. He presented the new passive house which should fulfill energetic exemplary function in the public building and releases impressive views of Traunsee and Traunstein. Bgm. Hannes Schobesberger introduced the climate alliance municipality Altmünster which is involved already for many years in the environmental protection and referred with pride to the nature reserve area Hollereck. Dir. Dr. Gottfried Schindlbauer mentioned the Nature Parks as model regions for man-made landscapes which fulfill the role as engines for regional development and represent at the same time cores of biodiversity. He also explained the importance of the communication in the nature conservation or Nature Park work. Präsident Bgm. Mag. Wolfgang Mair presented the nearly 50-year-old successful history of Nature Parks in Austria which attained a common identity with the foundation of the VNÖ. With only two Nature Parks in Upper Austria LR Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner confessed a careful approach with foundations of Nature Parks which means an honoring with a special high-class seal.
GF Dr. Jürgen Metzner introduced the co-operative nature conservation as a cooperation of different communities of interest from nature conservation, agriculture and politics as a trendsetting possibility to use available structures and to find regional solutions for national challenges. He referred to the synergetic effects that the landscape conservation associations in Austria produce and took the countries in the duty to create for it financing incentives.
DI Felix Fößleitner presented the Steinbacher model to the lowering of the forest surface portion: the development of a land use concept as a help for municipal decisions followed the presentation of the landscape conservation achievement of the farmers. These offered the basis for the allocation of appropriations.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alois Heißenhuber outlined the multifunctionality of agriculture and defined the man-made landscape as public property which also is representative for the biodiversity. The preservation of the man-made landscape shows for him a public achievement which must be rewarded – by the public authorities, as well as by the customers.
Five fallow alps in Salzburg and Bavaria are activated by optimal forms of grazing with rare animal races as well as by co-ordinated management. The biodiversity on these alps is strongly reduced as a result of decades of missing cultivation, but at least it is received. The results should be transferred as "best practice" examples to other areas, reported DI Günter Jaritz.
Because of the decline of the agricultural cultivation the Fliesser Sonnenhänge were threatened by the unstopped growing of bushes and trees. The management plan includes nature conservation measures which result in impulses for the agriculture, according to LAbg. Bgm. Obm. Ing. Hans-Peter Bock. The enhancement of dry grasslands or of the rural work by products like the "Kaisermantel" (goat's cheese) and cooperation result in a strengthening of the regional product circulations.
The stabilization of the population of the white storks should be reached by integration of different interest representatives and residents of the Nature Park “In der Weinidylle” and by mapping and management of the food biotopes, reported GF DI Thomas Böhm. Specific support of the food resources by arrangement of key biotopes, e.g., amphibian biotopes, care of the nests and public relations should make the white stork the highlight of the Nature Park.
Because the care of man-made landscape cannot be financed, GF Mag. Ronald Würflinger tries to reach this goal in the Nature Park Jauerling-Wachau by volunteer's work. Up to now 250 international participants produced an efficiency of 80,000 €. The engagement of the young people adds to the nature conservation aspect a high social component and also allows a strengthening of the acceptance of the protective areas in the local population.
The “Hirschbirne” is landscape-shaping in the Nature Park Pöllauer Tal and a leading product for the whole region. This helps to preserve the high trunk cultures and to maintain the landscape, according to Obm. Franz Grabenhofer. The ageing of the stocks of trees was counteracted in 2011 by the cultivation of 600 trees. The costs were divided between the municipality, the Nature Park and the users.
Bgm. Obm. Johann Weichsler defined the objectives of the landscape program in the Nature Park Weissensee: Keeping open the sea shores and honoring the time consuming labor of the farmers. An association organizes and controls the project which covers its financial means from the visitor´s tax.
Introduction:
Dir. DI Franz Fellinger, ABZ Salzkammergut
Bgm. Hannes Schobesberger, Gemeinde Altmünster
Dir. Dr. Gottfried Schindlbauer, Amt der Oö. Landesregierung
Präsident Bgm. Mag. Wolfgang Mair, Association of Austrian Nature Parks
LR Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner, Amt der Oö. Landesregierung
| ReferentInnen: | Referat*) zum Thema: |
| GF Dr. Jürgen Metzner Deutscher Verband für Landschaftspflege |
Kooperativer Naturschutz in Deutschland – Erfahrungen mit Landschaftspflegeverbänden |
| DI Felix Fößleitner Regionalmanagement Oö. |
Kulturlandschaft zwischen Maisacker und Christbaumkulturen |
| Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alois Heißenhuber TU München-Weihenstephan, Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftslehre des Landbaus |
Zur Bedeutung von Kulturlandschaften |
| DI Günter Jaritz Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung |
Vielfalt durch Beweidung – Modelle zur Aktivierung naturschutzfachlich wertvoller Almen in der Grenzregion zwischen Salzburg und Bayern |
| LAbg. Bgm. Obm. Ing. Hans-Peter Bock Naturpark Kaunergrat |
Schutz und Nutzung der Trockenrasenwiesen im Naturpark Kaunergrat |
| GF DI Thomas Böhm Regionalmanagement Burgenland-Süd ARGE Naturparke |
Erhaltung und Pflege wertvoller Flächen im Naturpark in der Weinidylle |
| GF Mag. Ronald Würflinger Naturpark Jauerling-Wachau |
WachauVolunteer – UNESCO Freiwilligenprojekt des Jahres 2011 |
| Obm. Franz Grabenhofer Naturpark Pöllauer Tal |
Landschaftsprägende Hirschbirnen – Vermarktungsaktivitäten für die Produkte der Streuobstwiesen im Naturpark Pöllauer Tal |
| Bgm. Obm. Johann Weichsler Naturpark Weissensee |
Aktivitäten im Naturpark Weissensee Tourismus schafft Blumenwiesen und freie Seeufer |
*) 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!
Impressions:
Links:
www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at
www.abzsalzkammergut.at
www.naturschauspiel.at
