The Initiative ‘Naturparke verwurzeln’ (Giving Roots to Nature Parks)

The project ‘Naturpark verwurzeln’ implements measures in seven Austrian trial nature parks to preserve the biodiversity of our native hedgerows.

This pilot project was developed by the Association of Austrian Nature Parks to take concrete action to preserve the biodiversity of our native hedgerows. In Lower Austria, three nature parks are part of the initiative!

The nature parks are home to many wild spinneys that have adapted to the climate and soil for thousands of years. In private gardens and also in the wild, however, woody plants are often planted whose origins lie far outside Austria and even Europe. In the long run, this negatively impacts regional biodiversity. In order to counteract this, the Association of Austrian Nature Parks has started the project ‘Naturpark verwurzeln’ in cooperation with Verein Regionale Gehölzvermehrung and the LACON office.

Promote native species

‘Naturpark verwurzeln’ aims to promote special properties of native wild shrubs, such as juniper, by implementing a course of action in nature parks. Specifically, an important wild shrub is selected for each participating nature park, the seeds are collected locally in the nature park and the sturdy, lovingly grown seedlings are re-rooted in home gardens, on farms or in public areas of the municipalities.

Three nature parks in Lower Austria are part of this initiative!

In Lower Austria, the project is being implemented in the Leiser Berge Nature Park (via the Association of Austrian Nature Parks), in the Lower Austrian Eisenwurzen Nature Park and Ötscher Tormäuer Nature Park (via the Association of Lower Austrian Nature Parks).

The partnership with the general population is also crucial. People receive information about biodiversity and the importance of native wild shrubs for nature conservation. In this way, the nature park can become rooted in people's consciousness. The activities around the project, such as collecting the fruits, propagation and planting, are accompanied by awareness-raising measures for young and old.