Interim balance sheet on the Tyrolean nature conservation package | State of Tyrol
Focus on the renaturation of water bodies and the preservation of moors
- Many projects are already being implemented
- Focus on the renaturation of water bodies and the preservation of moors
- Additional funding for projects in the Tyrolean nature parks
As part of the government meeting in autumn 2020, at the request of LHStvinIngrid Felipe A nature conservation package worth nine million euros was approved by the Tyrolean provincial government. A good year later, in which the implementation projects were concretized with government conclusions, the Tyrolean nature conservation councilor takes stock of the situation. “Last year we succeeded in setting up the financing of numerous nature conservation projects, some of which are already being implemented and some have already been successfully completed. The diversity of the different measures shows how many adjusting screws have to be turned in order to achieve effective environmental and nature protection. One of the main focuses of the nature conservation package is the preservation and revitalization of bodies of water and the associated protection of biodiversity in Tyrol ”, says LHStvin Philip.
Renaturation in flowing and standing waters as well as in moors
Natural and free-flowing water and river systems as a habitat for animals and plants, especially in the Alpine region that have become rare ecosystems “To counteract this development, stretches of water that are still free, such as the Inn on long sections or the Isel in East Tyrol, are protected or are there where there have been interventions in the past, targeted renaturation measures implemented ”, explains LHStvin Philip. Such measures are planned for the coming years in and along the Drau as well as on the upper Inn near Zams or. Tossing. This is intended to significantly increase the typical river biodiversity on these sections of the route. A similar goal is being pursued with the revitalization work on the Nörsacher pond in the municipality of Nikolsdorf. This natural jewel is the last known habitat in East Tyrol for the Alpine crest and pond newt, which is particularly worthy of protection. The effects of the nearby roads as well as the intensive agriculture in the area have severely impaired the pond in the past and make these ecological restoration interventions now necessary.
The renaturation of selected bog locations in Tyrol was also decided last year. “Our moors and peat are especially in times of climate change as CO2 – Store one of the most valuable types of landscapes we have. With the 630,000 euros made available, a comprehensive moor location mapping as well as specific protection and renaturation measures – following the successful moor protection work in the Karwendel – are to be developed and implemented in the next three years, ”says the Tyrolean nature conservation councilor happily.
Together with the University of Innsbruck and the Tyrolean State Museums, the funding from the State of Tyrol for the creation of the “Red List for Vascular Plants” was secured as part of the nature conservation focus. Red lists of species are one of the most important evaluation criteria for a number of nature conservation law approval and funding procedures.
Support for Tyrolean nature parks
The five nature parks in Tyrol make important contributions in the field of environmental education, visitor management and conservation area management. “Due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions, our nature parks have become even bigger visitor magnets. With the additional state funds, we finance a wide variety of species protection projects in the protected areas, support the nature parks with the modernization of their nature park houses and with the optimization of visitor management, ”summarizes LHStvin Felipe and also refers to the largest expansion of the protected area in the last 30 years on the Kaunergrat in the Heurigen year. “Here, too, a partnership-based cooperation between nature, agriculture and tourism interests should be our common goal. The state of Tyrol WILL, of course, support the Kaunergrat Nature Park on the way to becoming a model region in the interaction of these areas and has already received 75,000 euros from the nature conservation focus include public and therefore more climate-friendly travel to the nature parks.