Our Nature Parks in Lower Austria
20 of the 46 Austrian Nature Parks are located in Lower Austria. With a total area of about 55,000 hectares, they are located across 50 municipalities and are home to around 204,000 people.
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Unsere Naturparke in Niederösterreich
The aim of the protected areas is to preserve these intact natural spaces in their original diversity and together with all their beautiful and unique features through sustainable use – as well as to preserve them for future generations. The impact of climate change, which is felt not only globally, but also here in Lower Austria, highlights the importance of these efforts. Biodiversity is declining and soil loss is increasing. Therefore, pioneering protection, a commitment to conservation and cooperative and respectful stewardship of natural resources are more important than ever.
Naturschutz-Charta NÖ & Natura 2000 (Lower Austrian Nature Conservation Charter & Natura 2000)
Our nature parks maintain and improve biodiversity as well as species diversity and are committed to upholding the Lower Austrian Nature Conservation Charter. Likewise, nature parks play a significant role in implementing the objectives of Natura 2000 protected areas, as 70% of nature park areas are located in European nature reserves.
The Pillars of Nature Parks
The Lower Austrian Nature Parks are based on four pillars, which are outlined in our Mission Statement:
Protection
Preserve the natural area in its unique diversity and remarkable beauty and maintain the landscape in harmony with nature through sustainable use:
Environmental information, soft mobility, protected area management, research projects, contractual nature conservation, awareness raising.
Recreation
Attractive facilities to recharge the body and soul using all your senses and a wide range of family-friendly offers – always in harmony with nature in the respective protected area and its characteristic landscape:
Hiking, cycling and bridle paths, rest and relaxation areas, family-friendly, near-natural and wheelchair-friendly adventure playgrounds, nature park festivals and events
Education
Experience the exciting interplay of nature and culture as a community. Interactive approaches to understanding nature provide exciting aha-experiences and make learning come to life: Themed trails, information centres, nature park schools, adventure tours, seminars, courses, exhibitions suitable for target groups, preservation of customs and traditions.
Regional development
Create incentives to increase regional added value and ensure quality of life: Close collaboration on equal footing between nature park, agriculture, tourism, trade and culture; create jobs, socially and environmentally compatible tourism e.g. in nature park restaurants, trading with nature park products according to defined criteria.
The implementation of the Mission Statement is elaborated in the Lower Austrian Nature Parks Strategy 2025. This serves as a motivating and unifying guide and commitment for us to successfully lead the nature parks of
Lower Austria into the next decade. In this way, the Lower Austrian nature parks can continue to grow gradually in the future and act confidently and in partnership in order to foster the development of rural areas.
The 20 nature parks of Lower Austria:
- Ybbstal
- NÖ Eisenwurzen
- Ötscher-Tormäuer
- Jauerling-Wachau
- Mannersdorf
- Blockheide
- Dobersberg
- Geras
- Heideneichsteiner Moor
- Hochmoor Schrems / UnterWasserReich
- Kamptal
- Nordwald
- Leiser Berge
- Eichenhain
- Föhrenberge
- Purkersdorf
- Sparbach
- Falkenstein-Schwarzau im Gebirge
- Hohe Wand
- Sierningtal Flatzer Wand