Regional value added, Protected areas, New forms of decision-making
Short description
The project aims at installing an individual management in protected areas, also contributing to the policy aims of adding new jobs and of protecting nature. The starting points of the project were several existing projects of the Bavarian Bird Protection organisation (Landesbund für Vogelschutz), referring to the protection of species, like the golden eagle and the bat. This unique project of a management of protected areas was developed by the Landesbund für Vogelschutz. It is a bottop-um project, initiated by an association in connection with a job programme of the European Union. 25 new 'green' jobs were developed.
Project executive
Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bavaria (Bavarian Association for Bird Protection)
Participants
Government of Schwaben, Landratsamt Oberallgäu, Municipality of Sonthofen, Municipality of Bad Hindelang, Municipality of Oberstdorf, German Railways, Transport Association Oberallgäu, Alpwirtschaftlicher Verein im Allgäu = alpine association in the Allgäu, Forstbetriebe Oberallgäu = forestry Oberallgäu, Bund Naturschutz = Association Nature Protection, Deutscher Alpenverein / IG Klettern Allgäu = German Alps Association, Association for Tourism Allgäu-Schwaben / Allgäu-Marketing , Federal Ministry for Environment Bavaria, local and regional institutions like hotels, mountain guesthouses and a private busline
Objectives
(1) Listing of anthropogenic utilisation within the protection area, mapping of the path network, evaluation of Störschleppen (disturbance), (2) adult education and environmental pedagogy, (3) to raise the awareness for the protected areas and subjects of protection and to raise the acceptance for possible restrictions ans constraints, (4) development of a soft, ecological and sustainable tourism in the protected area, guidance to great, but not so damageable areas, (5) mapping of animals and plants, analysis and listing of ecologic sensible areas within the protected area, (6) integration and attendance of honorary LBV-members.
Activities
Start up was in 2002 when the Landesbund für Vogeschutz recognised the possibility of promoting 'green' jobs by the ESF, the European Social Fund. The first jobs as 'coaches of protected areas' were produced in 2003. The management of protected areas proved to be very successful especially the contact with local population and educational projects: There were several activities taken: (1) guidance of visitors and a concept for guided tours taking public transport into account, (2) integration of users, information and education (workshops), (3) installation of a honorary network (to take care of information booths and stations), (4) solutions for conflicts of utilisation, (5) conception of print media (folder, posters, presentation boards), (6) DVD about protected areas, (7) concept and implementation of nature trails in Hintersteiner Tal, Oytal, Erlebnisweg Alpenstadt, Stillachtal, (8) concept and implementation of information booths (Giebelhütte, Oytalhaus, Sonthofner Hof, Einödsbach, bus stops), (9) concept and implementation of multi-media-animal-voice-booths (Giebelhütte, Oytalhaus, Stillachtal) , (10) mapping
Process
There is no information available.
Results
(1) The project area 'Allgäuer Hochalpen' was the first protected area in Germany that was included into the project 'Fahrtziel Natur' of the German Railways. (2) Users of the protected area were integrated to the implementation of measures (information and education), (3) Press journey from 2 june to 4 june 2005 where the project 'Fahrtziel Natur' was presented, (4) honorary persons for the supervision of the information booths, (5) solutions of conflicts of utilisation (sheep pastures on the Linkerskopf, grit removal from sensible river areas), (6) concepts for print media, (7) DVD and presentation at the Bergfilmtage Cinema Immenstadt, (8) Information booths (9) concepts for guided tours taking public transport into account, (10) mapping of all routes, evaluation of disturbance areas, data for guidance of visitors
Evaluation
The project has not been evaluated yet.
Difficulties
In the beginning some locals had expressed their reservation about innovations. // The problems are mainly connected with general economic problems after the implementation phase: funding is only guaranteed until December 2006. The Landesbund für Vogelschutz has to create different funding to guarantee the 'green' coaching jobs. But, given the high acceptance of the project, they are hopeful for finding the necessary resources.
Budget
200.000 (personnel costs) (Euro)
Financial backer
1. Stiftung Bayerischer Naturschutzfonds = Foudation of the Bavarian Nature Protection Fund) from proceeds of the GlücksSpirale;
2. Europäischer Sozialfonds = European Social Fund (ESF);
3. Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern e.V. (LBV) =Bavarian Association for Bird Protection
