News 2023 und älter

As beautiful as the Gesäuse National Park was as a place to work during the year, the Knights' Hall in Röthelstein Castle is a wonderful venue for the end-of-year conference. The staff of the national park administration celebrated their successes in 2023 and are ready to continue their commitment to the Gesäuse, nature and visitors in 2024.

Between May and October 2024, the Gesäuse shared taxi will once again supplement mobility in the Gesäuse. This is made possible by the taxi companies Thalhuber and Wagner, as well as financial support from the municipalities of Admont, Ardning, Landl and St. Gallen, the tourism association and the national park.
Sincere thanks are due to all those involved. The two taxi companies have been making the shared taxi service possible for 10 years, for which Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler recently thanked them personally.

The colleagues in Berchtesgaden leave their full dynamics in the core area of nature, just like we do in the nature zone of the Gesäuse NP.

In the maintenance zone (1/4 of the area, called the preservation zone in the Gesäuse), active interventions for forest development were greatly reduced. Accompanying research by Prof. Rupert Seidl (TU Munich) shows that the development of economically overdeveloped monocultures into national park forests is by no means improved by the use of the chainsaw. Where the forest does not have to supply timber, but biodiversity and free genetic development are in the foreground, it is better if we leave the saws in the barn and let natural forces prevail. An instructive trip for Lutz Pickenpack, Head of the Styrian Provincial Forests and also Head of the Department of Forest and Wildlife Management in the Gesäuse, for foresters Christopher Fürweger and Stefan Huber, for Alexander Maringer, Head of the Department of Research and Nature Conservation and also National Park Director Herbert Wölger. A big thank you for the personal guidance goes to Roland Baier, Director of the Berchtesgaden National Park and Daniel Müller, Head of SG 4 -Park Management.

This year's company outing of the Gesäuse National Park took place from 13 to 15 October. With 22 colleagues we went over the Vršič Pass to Trenta, in the middle of the Triglav National Park, the only Slovenian National Park. There we were welcomed by Marco Pretner and guided through the visitor centre "Dom Trenta". After an exchange of experiences and a convivial evening, the next day we went to the Soča spring and into the rear Trenta valley. The afternoon hike took us further downstream, where the turquoise Soča blends ever deeper into the surrounding landscape. The journey home on Sunday was finally over the Predel Pass. A stop in Raibl and the visit to the mining town and the mining museum there concluded a programme full of contrasts. The whole team looks back on an extremely successful excursion, where fun was not neglected either.

At the end of September, the "diamond pin holders" of Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung visited us. Among them were General Director Klaus Scheitegel, Board Director Georg Schneider, Board Director Paul Swoboda, Head of Communications Karin Taferner-Bauer and Gernot Prantl, Head of the Admont Customer Centre. Grawe sponsors the National Park Youth Advisory Council "youth for nature" as part of its youth programme "sidebyside". Incidentally, the activities of this committed group of young people have also caught EUROPARC's attention and they have invited them to a large conference next year. Congratulations to "YOUth for Nature" and many thanks to the Grawe for their support.

The Winter 2023 issue of the National Park Magazine "Im Gseis" has just been published. It is now available online and from mid-October free of charge at the information office in Admont and at the information stands of our Gesäuse partners. This time with the special topic lynx.

You can also subscribe to our magazine free of charge. By email or letter with name and address: Karin Lattacher, Nationalpark Gesäuse GmbH, 8913 Weng im Gesäuse 2 k.lattacher@nationalpark-gesaeuse.at

📷: Christine Sonvilla & Marc Graf

"Climate protection is one of the most important future issues of our time - which makes it all the more important to anchor nature conservation and the environment as a central educational topic also in regional adult education. That is why it is very important to me that institutions from nature conservation and adult education work together on cooperation possibilities and that the results will be included in the 'Styrian Declaration of Adult Education'," says Provincial Councillor Werner Amon in the course of a meeting of the Styrian Education Network in the Gesäuse National Park.

This time, a total of 17 children aged 8 to 14 took part in the RADIO FREEQUENNS summer programme. Once again, a group from the Admont/National Park Gesäuse broadcasting area took part this year. National Park Radio presenter Andi Hollinger arrived. After a short workshop in which they learned interesting facts about the medium of radio, it was time for the practical part. The enthusiasm and especially the excitement were great when the kids stood in front of an open microphone and mixing desk in the LIVE studio for the first time, because now they had the opportunity to test their moderation skills. Of course, they also selected and announced their favourite music themselves. The programme can be listened to permanently at the following link: https://cba.fro.at/630566

Kancha Gurung not only has an excellent Nepalese restaurant in Vienna (the Yak and Yeti in the 6th district), but is also related to the nature photographer Tashi Ghale from Manang (Nepal, at the foot of Annapurna), whose snow leopard pictures are exhibited in the gallery of the National Park Photo School. Kancha therefore visited the Focus Gallery and immediately brought relatives, friends and even the ambassador of Nepal, Mr. Bharat Kumar.
Thank you for the visit.

Opening of the exhibition of the Nepalese nature photographer and wildlife specialist Tashi R. Ghale.

The FOKUS Gallery in Admont, Hauptstraße 32, is currently hosting an impressive exhibition on what is probably the most impressive animal inhabitant of the highest mountain ranges on earth, the snow leopard.

Native to the high mountains of Central Asia, its habitat covers a vast landscape of more than three million square kilometres. Nevertheless, the snow leopard's population is considered extremely threatened - conflicts with pastoralists, increased exploitation of resources and climate change are at the top of the list.
The exhibition can be visited free of charge (Mon-Sat) until 12 August 2023.

During a visit by the Ennstal Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Association, both our wheelchair traction devices (Swisstracks) and the newly renovated path through the Lettmair Au proved their worth. Ranger Maria Pichler organised a nature-intensive afternoon for the association members and accompanying persons. There are several "easy" tours around the Weidendom adventure centre, along which access to wild nature is possible even for those with limited mobility. To the folder

For the first time, the Festival of Wilderness took place at the House of Wilderness in Lunz am See on 3 June 2023. The Wilderness Area Dürrenstein-Lassingtal presented itself to the public and invited various nature conservation organisations as co-exhibitors. Both the Gesäuse National Park and the Kalkalpen National Park were happy to accept this invitation and presented joint activities such as the "Lynx Trail" and the "Transnational Park" bike trail. The National Parks Austria photo box rounded off our joint offer.

At the invitation and in the company of Ursula Lackner, Provincial Councillor for Nature Conservation, 12 volunteers from a total of 6 regional teams of the Styrian Hospice Association visited the National Park. The excursion was a small thank you from the provincial government for the sacrificial work in the hospice association.

At the beginning of May, the exhibition "Treasures of Alpine Flora" opened in the gallery "Alte Sägehalle Gstatterboden". The show features the works of the renowned collection photographers Sebastian Köpcke and Volker Weinhold from Berlin, who have taken up the challenge of documenting the historical herbarium collections of Admont Monastery using modern photographic techniques. The plant specimens of Admont Monastery, some of which are more than 150 years old, go back for the most part to the collecting activities of Father Gabriel Strobl and include a large number of plant species from the region. They are an important resource for scientists and nature lovers alike.

The exhibition can be seen from 1 May to 31 October 2023 in the gallery "Alte Sägehalle" in Gstatterboden. Admission is free.

Organised this year by the Steirische Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark, 30 Gesäuse partners were able to take away impressions of southern Austria on the annual excursion. As usual, the excursion started after Easter and was organised in the tried and tested manner by coach operator Toni Wagner, with breakfast provided by the Planitzer family. Thank you for that. The aim of the excursion was to get to know other rural regions and their predicates in terms of sustainable regional development. Thus, the first 1.5 days were spent in the UNESCO Global Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke in Carinthia and Slovenia. Impressions of regional mining history in Slovenia, tourist infrastructure projects at the Petzen ski resort in Bleiburg as well as regional brewery impressions could be taken away. The remaining days were spent in the South Styrian Nature Park around Leibnitz. Projects of the nature park were presented in the nature park centre in Grottenhof and the second evening was spent in the wine museum with tasting in Kitzeck. The various activities concerning the revitalisation of the town centre of Gamlitz on the last day of the excursion were also exciting. Of course, Southern Styria also stands for culinary delights and wine - so there was a cosy exchange with organic wine grower Otto Knaus, as a speciality partner of the local nature park. Due to the weather, the programme had to be flexible, but the regional culinary delights were certainly not neglected. The Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark would like to take this opportunity to thank its partners for their interest and cooperation with the Gesäuse Tourist Board and the Gesäuse National Park.
Text and pictures: Oliver Gulas-Wöhri

The current visitor programme starts the season with a variety of different events. From guided tours to special animal and plant species to an extensive holiday programme in summer, there should be something for everyone.
The programme of events complements the comprehensive offers of the National Park Photo School, which also extend throughout the year.
To use the words of the legendary Karl Farkas: Take a look!

The tourism structure reform also made the Gesäuse tourism association larger. Since January, Gaishorn, Rottenmann, Lassing and the district capital Liezen have also been part of the Gesäuse tourism association. This has also increased the "radius of action" of the Gesäuse partners. Now three new, innovative businesses enrich the network: Thomas Aigner with the Golf & Landclub Ennstal, Michaela Jauk with the Genusskammerl in Liezen and Kathrin Stock & Thomas Nebl with the B&B Xeis NeSt in Weng.

The Winter 2022 issue of the National Park Magazine "Im Gseis" has just been published. It is our anniversary issue - 20 years of the Gesäuse National Park.

The special thing about it: this time there are no photos. All articles were illustrated with drawings, sketches and paintings. Pupils from the Ortwein School in Graz were mainly responsible for this.

The magazine is available free of charge at the information office in Admont and at the information stands of our Gesäuse partners.

To PDF: https://nationalpark-gesaeuse.at/service/downloads/

You can also subscribe to our magazine free of charge. By mail or letter with your name and address:

Karin Lattacher, Gesäuse National Park GmbH, 8913 Weng im Gesäuse 2
k.lattacher@nationalpark-gesaeuse.at

📷: Leo Murko

The Nature and General Environmental Protection Unit of the Office of the Provincial Government of Styria (A13) visited the National Park. Led by Head of Unit Gerhard Rupp, the group visited the Weidendom Adventure Centre and Gstatterboden.

Last week, the entire staff of the Bavarian Saalforste and six forestry trainees from North Rhine-Westphalia visited us. Plenty of time to discuss the forest!
The speed of global warming brings huge challenges for the forest. What is certain is that the forests of the future will not resemble those of the past. Who will do better? The forestry industry through active management of tree species (plantations) or nature left to its own devices in national parks and wilderness areas?

Opening of the current exhibition at FOKUS, the gallery of the National Park Photo School
"6ute 6ründe" - this is the name of the exhibition by photographer Rupert Kogler, in which he presents the six domestic national parks in sensitive, intimate portraits and at the same time reveals to visitors his very personal approach to nature photography. He dedicates himself without exception to authentic nature photographs while at the same time paying attention to aesthetic standards. For Rupert Kogler, this also includes the exclusive use of natural light and refraining from any deliberate interference with nature.

"Besides my efforts as a nature educator to raise awareness, my work as a nature photographer also gives me countless unforgettable moments that provide me with a lifelong wealth. Both aspects are undoubtedly only brought to bear with the help of authentic and honest photographs. My concern is to show what wonders can be waiting outside and what is currently more at stake than ever!" says Rupert Kogler, whose pictures can be seen at the FOKUS Gallery in Admont until 20 August.

"6ute 6ründe" - 11 July - 20 August 2022 with free admission at the FOKUS Gallery
8911 Admont, Hauptstraße 32

Monday to Friday continuously from 09:00 - 17:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00

Grayling are a leading fish species in the Enns in the Gesäuse. In general, things are bad for the fish in the Enns, as in many other waters. River straightening, power plants, incorrect fisheries management and natural enemies: the melange of these factors is deadly.
A delegation from the Gesäuse studied how fishing can make a positive contribution to the Ybbs. Stefan Guttmann from the association "Save the Ybbs Grayling" (www.ybbs-aesche.at) has shown which stocking measures have succeeded in rebuilding a self-regenerating grayling stock in the lower reaches of the Ybbs. The most important biological success factor: the fish must be genetically suitable and grow up in the water from an early age! The most important organisational success factor: cooperation of the fishing rights holders along the course of the river!
The Gstatterboden-Gesäuse Fishing Association, the Styrian Fisheries Association, the Styrian Provincial Forests and the Gesäuse National Park were all involved.

The "Ö1 Club Exklusiv" introduced a small, interested group of Ö1 members to the secrets of orchids. From orchid to fly agaric, many species were marvelled at and the current status of protection, monitoring and research was discussed. Most of the participants travelled by environmentally friendly train. Excellent weather and high spirits made the five-hour hike an experience for the whole group.

In keeping with the anniversary year of the National Park, there was a book launch on 9 June 2022 in the new Fokus Gallery (National Park Photo School) in Admont.
On the occasion of 20 years of the Gesäuse National Park, nature photographer Herfried Marek has published a beautiful book about the Gesäuse National Park. The book focuses on his photos of landscape, plants and animals, complemented by shots of the night sky by Andreas Hollinger.
The Nature Conservation and Research Department of the Gesäuse National Park contributed species determinations and texts.
The book is available at the Admont Tourist Office, at the Wallig bookshop in Admont and in our webshop. 20 Years Gesäuse National Park - Herfried Marek (nationalpark-gesaeuse.at)

From 20 to 22 May, more than 100 representatives from the 36 mountaineering villages met in Johnsbach for the annual exchange. People from tourism, nature conservation and politics discussed the topic "Nature conservation and tourism in harmony" for three days. At the same time, the 20th anniversary of the Gesäuse National Park was celebrated.

Austria's national parks protect outstanding natural landscapes between the Großglockner and Lake Neusiedl. The joint activities are coordinated by the association Nationalparks Austria. Peter Rupitsch, long-time chairman of the association, is now retiring and will be appointed honorary member. Christian Übl, Director of the National Park Thayatal, will follow in his footsteps.

The Gesäuse shared taxi is back!
The shared taxi is on the road again in the Gesäuse region with the following operating times:
July, August, September: all weekdays 08:00-20:00
May, June, October: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 08:00-20:00
Where?
In the service area Admont, Ardning, Landl, St. Gallen

Price per person and ride: 9,50.-
Minimum occupancy 2 persons! If there is only 1 passenger, 2 tickets must be purchased.
Price valid up to 25 km distance - for additional kilometres the taxi fare will be charged.
Tel. no. for ordering: 03613-21000-9

The new National Park magazine "IM GSEIS" is now available for download on our website. Subscribers can look forward to receiving the print edition by post in the coming days. You would also like to subscribe to the magazine free of charge? With pleasure! Simply send an email to Karin Lattacher with the subject "IN THE GSEIS". Enjoy reading!

This time we are not bringing news from the National Park, but from the Forestry Directorate of the Province of Styria. They have published an extremely remarkable tool called "Dynamic Forest Typing". With this tool it is possible to estimate for the whole of Styria which trees and tree communities will be suitable in the future due to the expected climate.

The pairs of pictures show the suitability of Upper Styria for pedunculate oak and spruce, respectively, currently and for approx. 2085. Meaning of the colours: the greener, the more suitable. The problem lies in the speed of climate change. In a time span in which trees - from a forestry point of view - have only completed half of their rotation period, the general conditions are changing massively. Many spruces that germinate today will not be doing well in 60 years. Conversely, it is difficult to plant English oaks today under suboptimal conditions, although they would do very well in 60 years.
For forestry, this is a difficult question to solve. And for the forest wilderness in the national park? There, too, change is happening too quickly, but the adaptive and healing powers of nature have priority and it will become clear how the forest itself - without our influence - will develop. It has what it takes, as it has proven for many millions of years.

Information and tool can be found via this link: www.waldtypisierung.steiermark.at

Public institutions - such as the internationally recognised Gesaeuse National Park - try to present themselves as seriously and scientifically as possible in their public relations work. National Park veteran Andreas Hollinger is trying a more humorous approach for "his" Gesaeuse Park. On the social media platform Tik Tok, which primarily attracts a younger audience, Hollinger excitedly wriggles out from behind bushes, asks questions like "Have you ever thought about why the Gesäuse is called the Gesäuse?", or briefly and succinctly explains connections.
The short videos always end with the self-deprecating question "Interesting, then stay tuned - wia da Ennstola sogt".
It remains to be seen how viewers of the platform rate the hustle and bustle of the national park oldie: interesting or too fidgety?
Here go to the videos!

How can future teachers teach children and young people about nature and biodiversity? Students of the Styrian University of Teacher Education with Prof. Dr. Matthias Kowasch organised an exercise on this topic in Gstatterboden. To start with, ranger Markus Blank described the basics of "interpretation". Sensitised accordingly, they then went into the field. Fittingly, the group was at the mercy of nature's whims, trudging through knee-high snow and having to adapt the prepared programme to the unexpectedly harsh conditions. But flexibility and adaptability are not a bad basis for the quality practice of the teaching profession.

People in many regions are becoming more and more aware of the dark night sky. Tourists see economic opportunities, doctors see health benefits and for us conservationists, a dark starry sky is simply part of an intact habitat.
Protected area managers from Upper and Lower Austria, Salzburg and Styria exchanged views with German colleagues. The conclusion: they do not see each other as competitors, but would like to work together more internationally in the future...

"Nothing touches us like the untouched". With the new 2022 course programme of the National Park Photo School, course participants can expect not only truly untouched nature in the Gesäuse National Park, but also a great deal of passion for nature and landscape photography.
Wild water & steep rock, ancient forests, the splendour of orchids, the courtship display of black grouses or the darkest starry sky in Austria... Fantastic motifs - as well as the guidance of certified professionals - are just some of the basic conditions in the encounter between photography and nature in the Gesäuse National Park.
The current course overview and registration options can be found at here!

We look forward to your participation & wish you "Gut' Licht"!