NOT FOR THE FISH!
The renaturalisation of the Johnsbach in the Gesäuse National Park is showing initial success. In addition to the dynamic development of the vegetation in the widened areas, the current fishing has shown that the brown trout are reproducing well.
Five years ago, after the completion of the EU-funded LIFE project and the reconstruction work on the Johnsbach by the Torrent and Avalanche Control, there was a celebration. However, the results of the accompanying fish population surveys at the time could only be interpreted as cautiously positive. After another five years and some minor corrections, we can be sure: The renaturation project was a complete success.
Two new research papers show that the torrent and its flora and fauna have developed well. The brown trout population has recovered well and experienced a marked increase. Bullheads and graylings can rise in the estuary area and partly use the Enns tributary again as a retreat habitat.
This work, as well as a new report on vegetation monitoring at the Johnsbach, can be downloaded from the publications section of our homepage:
Report on post-monitoring fish ecology.
Report on vegetation monitoring at the Johnsbach.
Photo: Ch. Komposch/Ökoteam
THE HEART OF BIODIVERSITY IN AUSTRIA
On Friday 27 November, more than 50 experts met in Molln to take stock of the successful project Network Natural Forest. Over the past three years, the project has designed the networking of the core habitats of our three large protected areas (Kalkalpen and Gesäuse National Parks, Wilderness Area Dürrenstein) through a corridor and put 153 ha of ecologically valuable stepping stone areas permanently out of use.
INTERNSHIPS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Interns and seasonal staff are being sought for the summer of 2016 for the operation at the Willow Dome. You can find all current calls for proposals on our homepage.
You can find more about this under our Natural Forest Network" project
FEATHER CARNATION - WHERE ARE YOU?
The ornamental feathered carnation, in Latin Dianthus plumarius, is a true speciality in the Gesäuse. This endemic species is found exclusively in the north-eastern Limestone Alps on the southern side of the Dachstein massif and the Grimming, in the Tote Gebirge and in the Gesäuse mountains. The largest populations are found in the Gesäuse National Park!
Two new research projects are dedicated to the occurrence and characteristics of the populations of the ornamental feathered carnation in the Gesäuse National Park. Walter Köppl and Iris Oberklammer devoted themselves intensively to the beautiful plant in summer 2015, investigating its current distribution in detail and establishing permanent observation plots. The results are now available in the form of research reports and can be downloaded. available for download at our publications.
Also brand new is the fact sheet on the subject of the feathered pink and the sandpiper, in which these two special and characteristic species of the National Park are described briefly and clearly. The fact sheets are available as a separate download on our homepage.
Photo: Josef Greimler
ALPENBOCK, HOW ARE YOU?
The alpine longhorn beetle is more widespread in the National Park today than it was 10 years ago. This gives hope for the strictly protected deadwood specialist, whose conservation status has now been assessed as "good" according to EU criteria.
In total, three already known occurrence areas were investigated and one more was discovered. The alpine longhorn beetle needs standing dead beech wood, in which the larvae complete a mostly three-year development to the adult beetle. Only during a very short phase in July/August can the distinctive blue-black beetles be observed mating and subsequently laying their eggs.
The current research report on the distribution and conservation status of the Alpine longhorn beetle in the Gesäuse National Park is available at online at our publications.
Photos: Hovorka W.
OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR CAPERCAILLIES
A group of staff from the National Park and the Styrian Provincial Forests visited Reinischkogel, where OFÖ Helmut Fladenhofer presented his work on habitat improvement for capercaillie. With the support of forest owner Franz Meran, forestry work is being carried out on the Reinischkogel to provide capercaillies with an optimal habitat. In the Gesäuse National Park, work is currently underway on a "grouse specialist plan" and habitat improvement measures could also be implemented in part of the preservation zone. Sincere thanks are due to Helmut Fladenhofer and Franz Meran for willingly sharing their experience.
ILLEGALLY MARKED CLIMBS
In the Gesäuse, there is no law on paths, but this does not mean that anyone is allowed to create or mark new paths. Nevertheless, it happens time and again that paths are illegally marked and cut out in the National Park. These measures are illegal, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the police.
Independently of this, however, the National Park supports the preservation and maintenance of the official hiking trails, which are looked after by the alpine associations. Over 100 km of official and supervised hiking trails lead through all types of landscape - ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of the Gesäuse and the National Park.
DOMFRISEUR
Which domes are wearing a punky hairstyle there? Austria's largest living building, the willow dome in the Gesäuse National Park, has to undergo an autumnal pruning. The willow shoots are trimmed before the first snowfall. After the winterisation work at the Weidendom Adventure Centre, the preparation for the Advent in the Willow Dome which will take place this year on 5 and 6 December.
DATA PORTAL JOHNSBACHTAL-GESÄUSE ONLINE!
On 1.11.2015 the data portal Johnsbachtal-Nationalpark Gesäuse went online, and thus all data of the climate stations can be viewed at a glance and always up-to-date!
In addition to the two climate stations of the Gesäuse National Park (Weidendom and Gscheidegg), the Johnsbachtal data portal also includes all stations of the UNI Graz and other operators such as the Styrian Avalanche Warning Service and the ZAMG.
The data of the National Park and UNI Graz can be requested from the individual operators for research purposes and then easily exported via a data export tool. With the support of the Eisenwurzen Research Platform and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, another important step has been taken for the valorisation and dissemination of research results.
RED DEER IN WINTER
Recordings from one feeding site are transmitted daily. Follow the animals feeding here throughout the winter.
Want to be there yourself? Find out in the event programme about the Wildlife watching in the Gesäuse National Park.
Why the red deer are fed here is explained to you by our Cloven-hoofed Game Management Plan.
THE NEW "IM GSEIS" IS HERE!
The new issue of the National Park Magazine "Im Gseis" is out! The print version of the magazine will be available soon. The digital version is already available now.
This and all further issues are available in the Download area freely available.
SMOKE FLOOR PATH IS FREE!
The bridge over the Rotgraben has been rebuilt and is passable again, making the Rauchbodenweg passable again for walking and cycling.
The new bridge with a span of 13 m was built entirely of larch wood and is designed for a maximum load of 15 tonnes. After the old bridge had been extensively renovated in May 2015 with funds from the National Park, it was swept away by a mudslide in July.
The nature of the Gesäuse had once again shown its wild determination, and in the National Park it is allowed to live it out. May the new bridge nevertheless have a longer life!
Photos: Holzbau Dirninger
50 "WILD" IN RÖTHELSTEIN
From 30 September to 2 October 2015, the European Wilderness Academy Days - led by Max Rossberg, Zoltan Kun and Vlado Vancura - took place in Admont and the Gesäuse National Park. 50 experts from all over Europe discussed strategies on how to preserve or restore the last remnants of wilderness in Europe. During an extensive excursion to the National Park, the conference participants experienced the wild Gesäuse mountains, almost untouched primeval forest remnants and the return of forest wilderness at first hand.
Photos: Matthias Schickhofer and Gesäuse National Park
http://wilderness-society.org/
STAFF MEETING 2015
On 28 September, the Hohe Tauern National Park Carinthia invited to the biennial staff meeting in Heiligenblut. A total of 160 rangers, supervisors and office staff from all six Austrian national parks travelled to the meeting. On the first day, in perfect mountain weather, the participants were able to gain an insight into nature and the management of the high alpine protected area during excursions in the area of the Glockner-Pasterze and the Gamsgrubenweg.
The Hohe Tauern National Park was founded in 1981 and is the largest and oldest national park in Austria. The "Heiligenblut Agreement" of 1971 was the starting signal for national park development in Austria.
On the second day, different topics on public relations, knowledge management, volunteering and environmental education were discussed and worked on in small groups within the framework of several workshops. The two-day event offered valuable time for the exchange of experiences among each other and, in addition to a compact programme, also left time for a cosy get-together with colleagues from the other Austrian national parks.
Photo: National Parks Austria Staff Meeting 2015 © Franz Kovacs
OLD MAYOR IN THE NATIONAL PARK
ABC is not only emblematic for our school beginners, but also for "Altbürgermeister-Club Liezen".
The latter honoured the Gesäuse National Park on 18 September under the leadership of its acting president Herbert Peer. National Park Director Herbert Wölger received the former mayors at the Weidendom and introduced them to the ABC of the National Park administration.
HARVEST FESTIVAL IN VIENNA
Gesäuse National Park at the Harvest Festival on Heldenplatz in Vienna
Austria's largest harvest festival took place for the 15th time on 5 and 6 September 2015 on Vienna's Heldenplatz. The festival, which was held under the motto "Regional. Seasonal. Genial!" with many offers for families, 280,000 people from Vienna and the provinces as well as an international audience were enthusiastic.
Since the beginning, the six Austrian national parks have also presented themselves there every year in the "National Parks Austria Village". The landscape of the Austrian protected areas, from steppe lakes to forest wilderness and high mountains, is as diverse as their range of offers.
Visitors had the opportunity to get first-hand information about hiking and excursion destinations, accommodation and guided tours in the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, Donau-Auen, Thayatal, Kalkalpen, Gesäuse and Hohe Tauern National Parks.
Gastronomic partner businesses of the National Parks invited visitors to refresh themselves and rounded off the offer with regional specialities. For years, the Gesäuse National Park has been accompanied by the tourism association at the harvest festival in Vienna. Numerous children also took part in the National Parks Austria Quiz. After solving a task on the topic of nature at each National Park stand, they received a prize in kind provided by the Austrian National Parks.
Information from the National Parks Austria
www.nationalparksaustria.at
YOUTH SUMMIT - "YOUTH AT THE TOP"
The Gesäuse National Park invited to the "Youth at the Top", the first international youth summit on the topic of "Life in the Alps".
Children and young people from the Liezens district aged between 8 and 13 spent two wonderful days near the Hochscheibenalm in the Gesäuse in the course of the first Youth Summit. The Youth Summit took place in parallel in many other protected areas in seven Alpine countries and was held in the Gesäuse National Park at the Waldläufer Camp on Hochscheiben.
The young participants were brought to the National Park Pavilion in Gstatterboden by the GSEISPUR call taxi, from where they also climbed up to the Hochscheiben. While setting up the camp themselves under the guidance of the ranger Ute Preis and the youth leader of the Liezen Alpine Club Section Stefan Preis, the enthusiasm and high motivation of the children and young people became apparent early on. This also continued during the joint cooking, playing, scrambling and making a fire.
For some, the premiere of the Youth Summit also meant their first overnight stay outdoors! After a fearless and courageous night, it was time to climb up to the Ennstalerhütte in the early hours of the morning. Almost like gnats, the 8 to 13-year-olds mastered the approx. 1-hour march, which was only interrupted for short photo shoots of the breathtaking landscape of a small part of the Alpine arc.
Over a good meal at the Ennstalerhütte, the hut hosts Chrisi and Phil once again impressively confirmed that the district of Liezen is not called the region of cordiality for nothing. The day ended with a short visit to the interactive geology exhibition in the National Park Pavilion and a climbing session in the City-Rock Liezen climbing hall.
http://www.youth-at-the-top.org/de/
https://www.facebook.com/YATevent
The event was financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, the Gesäuse National Park and the Liezen ÖAV Section.
PASSION FOR NATURE X 5,000
"Passion for Nature", the National Park exhibition in the museum of Admont Abbey is well attended. In April 2015, 4,000 guests visited this exhibition, in July it was already well over 5,000. By means of video tracking, the movements of the visitors in the exhibition room are tracked to control the sound world. In this way, we also know exactly how many visitors there are. The Passion for Nature exhibition deals in an entertaining way with the habitats of the Gesäuse National Park and with researchers who are on the trail of natural phenomena. Thomas Gorbach's acousmatic soundscape lets a microcosm of sounds resound, and there's a DVD to listen to.
Photo: A. Hollinger
SENSATIONAL FINDS IN THE GESÄUSE NATIONAL PARK
On 6 August 2015, the butterfly researcher Heinz Habeler recorded the first sighting of the "Black Order Band", a moth that is more common in valley meadows, at an altitude of 1,450 m above sea level. The nocturnal and very rare butterfly reaches a remarkable wingspan of 7 cm.
Equally astonishing are the records of a Golden Owl butterfly and a Peregrine butterfly in the Gesäuse National Park. All these species are rather atypical for the area. Especially the "Black Orderly" is actually a species of the lowlands. Its advance into the cool regions of the Gesäuse mountains is probably connected with this year's heat wave or with the gradual warming of the climate.
8.SPRING AND BROOK WEEK
The groundwater fauna of alpine streams was to be explored from 19-22 July in the Gesäuse as part of the "8th International Spring Week". The interstitial - the gap in the sediment below and next to the stream bed - represents a separate, largely unknown habitat.
Initial investigations revealed a partly unique fauna of very specialised animal species. The task was to track them down with spades and excavators. A small group of four researchers from Germany and Austria took on this task and did pioneering work, as such investigations had never before been attempted in this form in the Alps. The Johnsbach and its tributaries, several small tributaries to the Enns, were investigated. The results, which will take some time to evaluate, are eagerly awaited!
Photo: Christina Remschak
POSTERS TO PRINT YOURSELF
Our current posters can now be downloaded from the website. This allows you to make posters yourself in any number and size. We hope for lively use, especially by our partner companies.
NEW GESÄUSE BOOKS!
The latest publication is the new volume in the Gesäuse National Park series entitled "Soko Haindlkar, steeply investigated ...". In this volume, which is primarily dedicated to young people and schoolchildren, everything revolves around the Haindlkar. "We dedicate this research volume to young people, because our nature is cool, is worth discovering and, last but not least, means the future: the basis of life for us and our children," says National Park Director Herbert Wölger at the book launch.
Maringer, A. (Red.) 2014: SOKO HAINDLKAR - Steil ermittelt. Schriften des Nationalparks Gesäuse, Band 11, Weng im Gesäuse. 165 S. ISBN 978-3-901990-11-3
In December of the previous year, the Gesäuse National Park presented the new book "Gesäuse - Landscape in transition". This illustrated book highlights the landscape history in and around the Gesäuse National Park - from the first records and maps to the founding of the National Park in 2002. Settlement, the development of agriculture and forestry, changes to the river landscape of the Enns as well as development through paths, roads and railways are presented in the individual chapters.
Hasitschka J., Höbinger T., Kreiner D. 2014: Gesäuse - Landschaft im Wandel. 216 P., ISBN 978-3901990106
MURE ON THE BUCHSTEIN
During the night of 19-20 July, heavy rainfall on the southern flank of the Buchstein caused large movements of gravel in the Rotgraben, Kühgraben and Bruckgraben.The forest road to the Buchsteinhaus material cableway was temporarily interrupted, but was cleared at short notice with a heavy excavator. The Rauchbodenweg had to be closed because the bridge over the Rotgraben was washed into the Enns. This hurts, as the wooden decking and railings had been completely renewed only 10 days earlier. The construction of the new bridge will take several weeks. Attention water sports enthusiasts: Due to the debris cones at the mouths of the ditches, it is difficult to pass the Enns at these points. After the mouth of the Rotgraben, steel girders and parts of bridges have become entangled at the bottom of the river, please exercise extreme caution here! The Bruckgraben, which is sometimes used for canyoning, has also been thoroughly washed through. It is to be expected that some of the existing pitons cannot be used or the route must be changed.
"ACTION SHARP" IN THE GESÄUSE NATIONAL PARK
Last week in the Gesäuse National Park was all about research. A total of 82 scientists were out and about in the course of three events in the National Park region and devoted themselves to basic research. The young researchers of the Entomologist Camp spent a whole week investigating the insect and spider world of the National Park. At the 22nd Central European Cicada Conference from 17-19 July at Kassegg Castle in St. Gallen, the latest findings in cicada research were discussed. With 50 researchers, this year's GEO Day of Biodiversity set a record. In the Hartelsgraben, they went in search of animals and plants from a wide variety of species groups.
The results of these intensive and targeted research activities provide valuable basic data for research in the Gesäuse National Park. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of numerous researchers, around 6,600 different species have been identified in the National Park. The research days regularly succeed in detecting new species for the area, which clearly shows that even today there is still much that is unknown to be discovered.
EXCELLENT MASTER THESIS
On 25 June 2015, in the course of the URBI (Faculty of Environmental, Regional and Educational Sciences at the University of Graz) day, the master's thesis of Admonter Christoph Gahbauer on the Gesäuse National Park Partnership in the scientific discipline of geography.
Aim of the work "2014 - The Gesäuse National Park Partnership: From resistance to cooperation" was to describe the emergence and development of the Gesäuse National Park Partnership, in which more than 80 businesses from the region currently cooperate with the Gesäuse National Park. The analysis of questionnaires, interviews, observations and documents has shown that the partnership has developed into a stable network of regional businesses that cooperate both with the Gesäuse National Park and with each other. The original scepticism of local people towards the establishment of the National Park has been largely overcome and many local businesses have been motivated to cooperate. The partnership has also generated new social capital in the Gesäuse and contributed to strengthening the local economy.
The work can be done at our publications under this link can be found here.
ANNUAL WORKSHOP FOR SUSTAINABLE COOPERATION IN THE EISENWURZEN REGION
On 23 June 2015, the Eisenwurzen Research Platform held its annual workshop at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. The exchange of opinions and experiences on the organisation of cooperation between research and the region, as well as the needs and opportunities for participation of the stakeholders in the Eisenwurzen were the central topics.
Long-term socio-ecological research deals with people and their relationships to their environment. Contributions from the population provide important foundations for research work. On the other hand, research projects and results can be valuable drivers of regional development. For this to work, good cooperation is necessary. Ideas and initiatives, especially the projects and their results should be exchanged and made transparent.
The results of the joint discussion should lead to better understanding and motivate for future cooperation.
WHERE HAS THE WOLF GONE...
Where did the wolf go... - a "film theatre project" of the NMS Admont / class 2a
Just as Gudrun Pflüger set off on the trail of coastal wolves in Canada, the pupils of the 2a class went in search of wolves in the region of the Gesäuse National Park "with a twinkle in their eyes" - at school, at home, in the Haindlkar... - accompanied by Stefan, a professional filmmaker, and documented with photos. The result is a trailer to get you in the mood for the play in winter:
"Peter, wolves and bad fairy tales. Where have the wolves gone?"
And who really knows where we found them...?
The premiere took place on 9 July 2015 at 21:00 at the cinema at the Willow Dome.
Links to the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dK_AxyIbUQ
THE NATURE FOREST TRAIL
The Eisenwurzen is an unmistakable cultural landscape. Centuries of a flourishing iron industry have left their mark on the valleys in the border triangle of the provinces of Styria, Upper Austria and Lower Austria.The iron extracted from the Styrian Erzberg was transported northwards along the rivers and streams and processed into scythes, sickles, knives or nails. The forests supplied the wood for charcoal production and many streams provided the energy to run the hammer mills. Witnesses of the glory of the old days remain. Iron and grain stores, hammer masters' houses, scythe forge ensembles, nail forges or timber floatation plants on the one hand, and extensive near-natural forest areas on the other hand give the Eisenwurzen its wildly romantic charm. In order to make this unique natural region with its cultural heritage come alive, the Kalkalpen National Park, Gesäuse National Park and the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area together with the alpine associations have put together the NaturWaldWeg, which connects the three internationally recognised protected areas in thirteen daily stages.
The NaturWaldWeg is excitingly described in the recently published regional guidebook Erlebnis Eisenwurzen by Franz and Philipp Sieghartsleitner (Anton Pustet Verlag; ISBN 978-3-7025-0780-0). In addition, the initiators of the NaturWaldWeges have published a map of the long-distance hiking trail. "What is unique about the NaturWaldWeg map is not only that the entire region is shown on one map, but also that a green shading indicates the degree of closeness to nature of the forests in the Eisenwurzen region," says Christoph Nitsch, who coordinates the Naturwald Network project.
DEAUVILLE FILM FESTIVAL GREEN AWARDS
From 9-11 June, the international film festival Deauville Green Awards took place in Normandy. This event presents innovative sustainable film projects from all over the world. This year, Austria was invited as guest of honour to present the national parks in Austria and their audiovisual policy. The Gesäuse National Park had the honourable task of representing the Austrian National Parks at this festival.
NEW PARTNER SCHOOL!
Weng primary school is the new National Park partner school!
As part of this year's Mother's Day celebration in the community hall of Weng, the partnership agreement between the primary school in Weng and the Gesäuse National Park was officially signed in front of numerous guests. Accompanied by introductory words from Mayor Hermann Watzl/Großgemeinde Admont, Martin Hartmann/Nationalpark Gesäuse and Director Susanne Hofstätter, among others, and atmospherically framed by the theatre performance of the primary school pupils, this ceremony was very well received. For the Gesäuse National Park, cooperation with regional schools is an important part of its educational mission and also a successful project for raising awareness of the national park idea among the regional population.
LITTLE SYDNEY
Little Sydney: Protecting Nature in Europe
From 28 to 31 May, a conference of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was held in Hainburg on the Danube. Representatives of European nature conservation were presented with the results of the world's largest nature conservation conference, which took place in Sydney a few months ago. The conference participants also discussed how to interpret the Sydney results in a specifically European context.
In the photo, National Park Directors Carl Manzano (right, Danube Floodplains) and Herbert Wölger (left, Gesäuse) with IUCN Director General Inger Andersen (centre). Copyright: Franz Kovac
Link: www.iucn.org
YOUTH AT THE TOP
Community event "Youth Summit" - Youth at the Top on 16 and 17 July 2015
This year, from 16 to 17 July, a large-scale joint project for young people will be launched under this title, taking place simultaneously in seven Alpine countries.
The aim of this partnership project between ALPARC and the French mountain environmental education network Educ'Alpes is to strengthen children's and young people's mountain culture and sense of belonging to the region, as well as their bond with nature and the protected area.
We will spend two days at the ranger camp near the Hochscheibenalm in the Gesäuse National Park. Children and young people from ÖAV and Friends of Nature sections are invited. The ascent will be from Gstatterboden via the Niederscheibenalm to the Hochscheibenalm. There they will build their own shelters for the night, cook their own food and enjoy the wonderful starry sky - and all this WITHOUT electricity! What must not be forgotten, however, are cameras. Because these two days should be recorded and put online, because at exactly the same time, hundreds of children and young people throughout the Alpine arc are taking part in the community event "Youth at the Top".
The event is financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, the Gesäuse National Park, the Friends of Nature and the ÖAV sections.
Date: Thursday 16 - Friday 17 July
Location: Ranger Camp on the Hochscheiben, Gesäuse National Park
Age group: 8 - 14 years, limited number of participants
No costs, but personal equipment and snack required for 1st day.
More information will follow upon registration
Registration by 26 June with the youth leaders of the PES sections Liezen, Admont-Gesäuse, St. Gallen and the Naturefriends sections Landl and Weng im Gesäuse.
MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON OPENS!
You can pedal hard again!
After numerous smaller trail renovations by the Steiermärkische Landesforste, the new mountain bike season in the Gesäuse National Park can begin. Enjoy the unique nature on the Ennsboden and Rauchboden trails or on the mountain bike route via the Hochscheibenalm. In the summer months you can also borrow mountain bikes and e-bikes at the National Park Pavilion for a reasonable price.
FRIENDSHIP WITH KOREA
Mr Bo-hwan Park is the head of 2,000 employees. He heads the South Korean National Park Service and - yes - his name really is "Park".
Mr. Park learned about our partner network at the World Congress of National Parks in Sydney and now, during a visit to the Gesäuse National Park, gathered information on site about the intensive cooperation between the National Park and the partner school NMS Admont.
The trip of the small delegation from faraway South Korea took place at the invitation of Federal Minister Andrä Rupprechter, who signed a Friendship Declaration with South Korea for the exchange of information between the respective national parks.
SURVIVORS ON THE GESÄUSESTRASS
How the Gesäuse can currently be mastered by bicycle and what suggestions can be made for the future was what a group of responsible persons and experts tried to explore in the course of a "cycling tour". Coordinated by Regional Manager Mario Brandmüller, Mayor Herman Watzl, Gerald Bogensberger (BH Liezen), Andreas Holzinger (Landesforste), Martin Moser and Reinhard Präsoll (both Baubezirksleitung) took to the pedals. The most expert eye was kept by Stephan Landgraf from the bicycle lobby Argus Steiermark and bikes were provided by National Park Director Herbert Wölger from his own bicycle rental.
EXCURSION OF THE NP-PARTNERS TO THE THAYA VALLEY
21-22 April 2015
Almost 30 people took part in the excursion of the National Park Partners again this year. The smallest town in Austria, the largest underground wine cellar in Austria, the last mother-of-pearl crusher in Austria and the narrowest street bends in Austria (from the perspective of a 12.40 m long coach) promised an interesting programme.
We set off punctually at 5:30 a.m. from the Pirafelner car park in Admont with our best bus operator and driver Toni Wagner. On board was of course the traditional breakfast with coffee, savoury rolls and Zaunerkipferl. sponsored by Kaufhaus Nah&Frisch/Hoffmann and Konditorei Stockhammer/Planitzer.
After a short stopover, we reached the visitor centre in the Thayatal National Park in the morning, where we were allowed to observe the wildcats feeding.
Accompanied by a ranger, we undertook an interesting hike through the beautiful mixed forest in the immediate vicinity of the National Park House. At the "vantage point" an unbelievable view of the deep valley of the Thaya opened up: the smallest town in Austria, Hardegg.
In the afternoon we visited the mother-of-pearl crusher and then we hiked along the "old trail" to the Czech Republic. Our guide, a national park forester, told us interesting details about the national park and its surroundings.
We spent the evening at our accommodation in Pulkau with the Kellner family, where we tasted the typical regional delicacies. Thanks to Toni's excellent driving skills, getting to the guesthouse was not an insurmountable problem.
The next morning we walked through the vineyards to the Retz windmill and spent the morning in the cool wine cellars of the town. The underground passageway system is particularly impressive for its history and the length of the corridors.
After a leisurely stroll through the city, we started our journey home again in the early afternoon.
VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL YEAR
The Gesäuse National Park is a placement site for the Voluntary Environmental Year FUJ
Our national park promotes voluntary social engagement and the importance of environmental, nature conservation and sustainability issues among the younger generation: We enable committed young adults to do a Voluntary Environmental Year with us to further their education and gain practical work experience.
Are you interested in doing a voluntary environmental year with us? Then you can find more information on the general conditions and application procedure at: www.fuj.at
If you have any questions, please contact the youth environmental platform JUMP (supporting organisation of the Voluntary Environmental Year):
Phone: +43 1 31304 2015
E-mail: office@jugendumwelt.at
IN GSEIS - NEW MAGAZINE!
Finally, the time has come again - the new summer 2015 issue of the National Park magazine "Im Gseis" is here. The magazine is available free of charge at the information office in Admont and at the information stands of our National Park partners.
The pdf can be downloaded from the Download page of our homepage can be downloaded.
You can also subscribe to our magazine free of charge. Please send an e-mail, letter or fax with your name and address to:
Karin Lattacher
Gesäuse National Park GmbH
8913 Weng in the Gesäuse 2
karin.lattacher@nationalpark.co.at
Fax: +43 3613 21000 18
REDESIGN RANGER-WEB
The Gesäuse National Park rangers present themselves new, better and with more information. Rangers not only lead various National Park events, but are also available for individual hikes and excursions. You can now see at a glance which rangers can be booked individually and directly, where the preferences and special areas of the respective rangers lie and how they can be reached.
RIPARIAN RUNNERS ARE BACK!
The sandpipers are back! Last week, a total of four sandpipers were observed several times on the gravel banks. One of the birds is already performing its mating flights. Of course, we hope for the arrival of more breeding pairs of this species that is so important for us.
In the Gesäuse National Park, where the Enns can flow unregulated, there are still some suitable breeding sites for the Common Sandpiper. This year we will again keep a close eye on where the sandpipers are breeding and whether they are exposed to disturbances. There is a strict ban on entering the Enns and Johnsbach, with the exception of the marked bathing areas.
XEIS-AUSLESE - EDITION NATURE
"Xeis-Auslese" - climbing and nature conservation go hand in hand in the Gesäuse!
A special climbing guidebook about the Gesäuse has recently been published. Special because the climbing guide also contains extensive information about the nature of Styria's only national park. The authors have taken on the challenge of bringing climbers closer to the nature surrounding climbing.
NP ORGANS BETTER RECOGNISABLE
The main task of the "national park organs" is to supervise the area and provide information for visitors to the Gesäuse. Our organs not only know what is welcome, not welcome or forbidden in the national park, they can also provide information on orientation, paths and many other topics. Often the national park rangers are trained naturalists or rangers, so they know how to name species, explain phenomena and tell all kinds of interesting stories.
National Park authorities on duty are legitimised with an identity card and badge. To make them more recognisable, they have now been equipped with red rucksack covers.
IUCN WORLD PARKS CONGRESS
The world's largest meeting of large protected areas takes place every 10 years, most recently in Sydney in 2014. The Austrian national parks were represented by presentations from Martin Hartmann, Gesäuse National Park, see news item. From 28 to 31 May 2015, there will be a follow-up event for Europe: Little Syndey - Protecting Nature in Europe. The venue is Hainburg / Donau-Auen. More details at this link.
What came out of Sydney? A good summary can be read in Geschnatter 1/2015, the newspaper of the Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park.
FOREST CONVERSION IN THE GSTATTERBODNER KETTLE
Now in spring, forest thinning work begins again. Daniel Kreiner, head of the nature conservation department, discusses the current forest construction sites with national park forester Martin Zorn and the workers carrying out the work. Dense spruce forests are noticeably thinned out to make room for natural regeneration. The experience of the last few years has shown that not only spruce but also hardwoods such as maple, beech and ash rejuvenate well under the loose canopy. This creates a more colourful mix of tree species and also vertical structure. The work is not done according to silvicultural principles but in such a way that a forest as close to nature as possible (without the abandonment of timber production) is created. The light is set irregularly, dead trees are left standing and also trees of very different sizes. Wind and snow throw more trees to the ground in the first few years, which then simply remain and increase the amount of deadwood in the forest.
LIGHT IMAGE SUMMIT 2015
The Light Photo Summit in Admont came to an end on Saturday 28 March to thunderous applause. No wonder, because with the exciting "Competition of Short Presentations" on Friday, the presenters let us share their adventurous journeys across the globe, and on Saturday Helmut Schwarz (last year's winner) presented his Ghana Multivision. To crown it all, the legendary photographer Norbert Rosing, in his only lecture in Austria, enthralled the audience with fascinating pictures from his life's work "My Way".
MURAL PROJECT IN THE NMS ADMONT
A wonderful Gesäuse mural has been created in the NMS Admont over the last few months! Together with the pupils, Elfi Lechner (NP Ranger) has immortalised the spectacular Gesäuse entrance with the Hochtor group and the beautiful nature in the National Park, with copper beech, various wild animal species and the Enns.
LYNX IN THE GESÄUSE
The snow makes tracking easier and so we know that a lynx has spent the past winter weeks in the Gesaeuse forests. It is very likely a lynx from Upper Austria (Kalkalpen National Park). Apparently this animal feels at home in our forest. It's nice when the habitat is suitable and the necessary tranquillity is available! The area between the Limestone Alps National Park, the Gesäuse National Park and the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area has a good habitat quality for lynx. Dear Mr. or Mrs. Lynx: Welcome to the Gesäuse National Park!
HUNTERS' CONFERENCE IN AIGEN
"Management of cloven-hoofed game and hunting - diversity of tasks requires holistic thinking and diverse action": this was the title of the 21st hunters' conference held in Aigen im Ennstal from 26 to 27 February 2015. National Park Director Herbert Wölger presented game management in the Gesäuse National Park in his contribution. The conference was fully booked with 850 hunters from all over Austria.
Photo: Alexander Maringer
LECTURE SERIES
The landscape in the Enns Valley reflects a fascinating history. We look at the time of the first records and map representations up to the present. Historical paintings, photos and old maps show how the landscape presented itself once and today. Natural forces, early settlement, agriculture and forestry, the regulation of the Enns river as well as development through traffic and tourism are topics of the lecture.
The history of the landscape is told with the help of many picture examples and direct comparisons. Join us on an interesting journey through the history of the region!
Lecture series "Gesäuse - Landscape in Transition":
- 20 March 6 pm - Liezen, Kulturhaus, Small Hall
- 15 April 7 pm - Haus i. E., Edelweißsaal of the ÖAV Haus
- 16 April 7 pm - Roßleithen/Windischgarsten, Villa Sonnwend
- 17 April 6 pm - Gams, Kirchenwirt
ALL CANVAS FESTIVAL
On 21 and 22 February, the big travel & adventure festival "Alles Leinwand" took place in Vienna. Selected speakers brought the whole world to Vienna and presented their travel experiences with impressive pictures and adventurous stories. The Gesäuse National Park was on site as an exhibitor and thrilled the visitors with its 3D cinema.WHITE PAPER ON LONG-TERM ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH IN AUSTRIA
The Gesäuse National Park has played a major role in shaping the "Eisenwurzen Research Platform" since 2002. It is a showcase model in the European long-term research network. Here, research provides answers to regional questions and at the same time is networked in significant international projects. The White Paper on long-term ecosystem research in Austria was presented at a conference in Vienna on 19 February.
You can find more information on this in the Press release.
DIRNDLBALL 2015
The traditional Dirndl Ball of the National Park partner businesses took place on 07.02.2015. Appreciation for our region, our nature, our National Park partners and their services and products. All these values were celebrated together at Röthelstein Castle.
PASSION FOR NATURE
The new National Park exhibition is taking shape. In cooperation with the museum of Admont Abbey, the exhibition space will be ready before the end of February. The Verdandi team is already on site with some craftsmen and the good spirit of nature research in the person of a portrait of Father Strobl is supervising the construction site.
Afterwards, musician Thomas Gorbach and sound technicians will fine-tune and complete the interactive sound installation. On 22 March, the museum will open and Admont will have a world first. Until then, however, the tension is mounting. By the way, there will be an official opening ceremony on 1 May, including the premiere of a musical space-sound composition.
NEW BUZZBOOK
A new illustrated book sheds light on the landscape history in and around the Gesäuse National Park - from the first records and maps to the founding of the National Park in 2002. Settlement, the development of agriculture and forestry, changes in the river landscape of the Enns and development by paths, roads and railways are presented in the individual chapters.
Numerous historical as well as current pictures, photos and maps illustrate the Gesäuse with its unique landscape and exciting history, which today characterises the National Park. Especially exciting are the direct comparisons of historical and current photos, which clearly illustrate the changes in the landscape in many examples.
Authors: J. Hasitschka, T. Höbinger and D. Kreiner
Available at the National Park Information Office in Admont as well as in bookshops in Admont and Liezen and on Amazon.de!
Book price: 39,90 €
AVALANCHE SEMINAR 2015
At the beginning of January, the annual avalanche course for rangers and national park bodies took place under the direction of two mountain guides. On Monday 5 January, the participants met in the evening at Gasthof Buchner, where the theory of avalanche awareness as well as nature conservation topics were discussed. The following day, the programme began with the planning of the route, a tour on the Leobner, based on the current avalanche situation report, maps and a tour plan. Then it was off into the terrain, from Johnsbach towards the Leobner. During the ascent, the mountain guides explained the current dangers and important indications that can be read in the terrain. This training is obligatory for all those who carry out winter supervision services or winter programmes and provides our staff with a solid basis for a good risk assessment when working in the field.
Photos: © Herbert Wölger
FIR - TREE OF THE YEAR
The Tree of the Year 2015 is the fir (Abies alba), an important tree species of the spruce-fir-beech forest in the Gesäuse National Park. Compared to its original share, the fir has been strongly pushed back, but in the Gesäuse National Park it finds good framework conditions to be able to slip back into its supporting role.
The Himmelstoss fir, a mighty specimen of this tree species, is easily accessible at the Weidendom adventure centre. It has a circumference of almost 4 metres and is 45 m high.
Picture below: C. Fürweger
GHOST OF THE BROCKEN IN THE GESÄUSE
Mystical creatures roam the Gesäuse National Park - like the recently sighted Brocken ghost! Tamara Höbinger didn't think it was a ghost when she saw the phenomenon on a ski tour to the Tamischbach Tower, but it was still an unusual encounter. In fact, it is not a mythical figure, but rather an optical effect. The shadow of the observer is not depicted on solid ground, but in the water droplets of a layer of mist. Often, a ring of colour, similar to a rainbow, also appears around the shadow. The name "Brocken ghost" comes from the fact that this phenomenon was first observed and described in 1780 on the Brocken (Harz mountains, Germany).
Photo: © Tamara Höbinger
Source: Wikipedia (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockengespenst)
