Ecomodel Nature park Grebenzen (Ökomodel Naturpark Grebenzen)

Best Practice

Topics

• Protected areas
• Regional value added

Short description

The Ecomodel (Oekomodell) Nature Park Grebenzen is a network of individuals, groups, associations working in agriculture. In addition direct marketing projects, co-operation projects between agriculture, tourism and gastronomy are created. Furthermore all nature protection projects are integrated to ensure a sustainable manner of agriculture.

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Project executive

association of nature park Grebenzen with around 350 private members, 8 municipalities.

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Participants

Provincial department for nature protection of Styria (FA 13C), regional chamber of agriculture Murau (Mr. H. Kraxner),associations of regional development, university of Graz, districtal commissioner for for nature protection (Mr. Walcher)

Objectives

Advancement of the 4 primary tasks of a nature park: dynamic nature protection, education (consciousness/awareness and qualification), nature-bound recovery and regional development. Objective is the professional and modelful implementation of the "dynamic nature protection" in both nature parks the Grebenzen and Soelktaeler. Moreover of importance is the implementation of the nature protection measures of the OePUL 2000 programme, the creation of biotopes, support of culture landscape research programmes in the context of Natura 2000 article 33 (Adjustment and development of rural areas, as well as conservation of the cultural landscape and support to implement Natura 2000). Main activities are to create a network between the sectors of agriculture, tourism, gastronomy and regional value chains to improve the economical situation of the farmers. Further activities are summer and school programmes with the objective to create a consciousness for the relationships between agriculture, diversity of species and ecology. This is done by educationally trained nature-experts. The farmers are supported and consulted to fulfill the requirements of the OePUL programme.

Activities

Indication of nature park restaurants and products with their own label. Opening of an own shop. Design of a productinformationfolder. Summer events and programme for schools, youthgroups, tourists and natives. nature trails,nature protection award for farmers, biotop monitoring, publication of an own newspaper

Results

areas of high biodiversity are preserved, the economical situation of farmers and gastronomy is ensured and improved.

Evaluation

No evaluation

Difficulties

Only small financial funds. Too less to create a professional management.

Budget

20.000 Euro annually (Euro)

Financial backer

European Union, Provincial Government of Styria and provincial departement of nature protection (Amt d. steierm. Landesregierung, FA 13C, Nature park communities: Duernstein, Mariahof, Neumarkt, Perchau, St. Blasen, St. Lambrecht, Zeutschach

Source of information

Competition

Participant at the 2005 Future in the Alps competition

Homepage

http://www.naturparke.at www.naturpark-grebenzen.at

Publication

Oekomodell Naturpark Grebenzen

Comments

Impact on nature and environment

The conservation of the cultural landscape is improved by low-intensity use. This is reached by subsidies (protection by contract)

Economic value added

The value added is increased and the economical situation in the region is improved.

Socio-cultural value added

Teh activities in the municipalities and the cooperation between them increased. The result is an increasing identification of the inhabitants with their region. The eight communities are organizing projects together not only in their own region.

Innovative content

Integration of opinion leaders.

Good governance

The project is based on an association. One general assembly is hold annually, the day trading is done by the managementboard. The minutes are visible. For the different projects workinggroups with participants of different organisations are created. This makes an exchange between the stakeholders and of the information possible.

PR impact

Two times per year an own newspaper with the activities is publicated. Further publications are in regional newspapers. The cooperations with a lot of different associations is an other important part to get publicity. The nature park Grebenzen has an own website.

Multiplier effect / networking

Foreign and national touristgroups are visiting demonstration-projects. On conferences the ecomodel was presented several times. The exchange with the consortium "Naturpark Erlebnis Steiermark" and tourist organisations.

Transferability

Yes

Further information