European sustainable development rural actor database


Association of Austrian Nature Parks (Verband der Naturparke Österreichs)

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Generals Informations
Creation date: 30/11/1994
Structure type:
- Local authority
- Network

Intervention type: National

Employement number: 5

Main objective:

The aim of the Association of Austrian Nature Parks is a closer coordination of the Nature Parks by the cooperation in an umbrella organisation.



Coordinate
Country:
Autriche
Adress:

Alberstraße 10; 8010 Graz AUTRICHE

Phone:
00 43 316 31 88 48 99
Fax:
00 43 316 31 88 48 88
Contact:
office_ANTI_SPAM_@naturparke.at
Web:
www.naturparke.at <http://www.naturparke.at>

Presentation

In 1995 all Austrian nature parks aligned with each other to form the “Association of Austrian Nature Parks” (Verband der Naturparke Österreichs - VNÖ). Within this alliance Nature Parks want to create model regions for sustainable development.

The Nature Parks of Austria represent a diversity of characteristic landscapes, distinguished through their inviolacy, their natural and cultural highlights and a broad spread of possibilities to enjoy, experience and comprehend nature. Today there are 47 Nature Parks in Austria, covering an area altogether of 500.000 ha. Presently the geographical main focus/emphasis lies in Eastern Austria, the provinces of Lower Austria, Styria and Burgenland, though the number of areas seeking to become a Nature Park is constantly rising.

Themes activities

Qualitative further development of the Nature Parks

Realisation of common marketing projects

Activities
  • Agriculture, environment and territory
  • Environmental education and citizenship

      • Agriculture, environment and territory
      Covered topics:
      Support farmers’ diversification
      Actions examples:

      Programme “Nature Park Specialities”, financed within Leader

      Projects/Wishes:

      The Association of Austrian Nature Parks is however interested in having a European partnership on the above theme. More particularly, the Association would like to exchange experiences and create common criteria for agricultural or handicraft products labelled in connection with protected areas

      Environmental education and citizenship
      Covered topics:
      Education to environment and sustainable development for youngsters
      Education and training of professionals or local representatives
      Raising public opinion’s awareness (residents and tourists)
      Actions examples:

      Annual training entitled “Nature and Landscape Interpretation”. The objective of this training is to impart the necessary basic knowledge for the successful planning and realisation of experience-oriented events concerning ‘nature and landscape’. Target groups are the staff of the Nature Parks or people resident in the Nature ParksNature-oriented experience playgrounds, adventure/experience guided tours, thematic walking routesPublication of guides and discovery brochures

      Projects/Wishes:

      The Association of Austrian Nature Parks is however interested in having a European partnership on the above activity, that is training “Nature and Landscape Interpretation”